India Revokes Security Clearance for Turkish Airport Services Firm
Security Clearance Revoked: Turkish Firm Banned from Indian Airports
The Indian government has revoked the security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, a Turkish company providing ground handling services at several major airports across the country. The decision, made by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), was effective immediately and cited national security concerns.
Celebi, one of three companies providing ground handling at Delhi Airport, operated at passenger and cargo terminals in Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, and Cochin.
What Does This Mean for Passengers and Airports?
This sudden move will disrupt operations at affected airports. The government expects those airports to quickly find temporary solutions by utilizing other ground handling companies. In the longer term, a new tender process will be initiated to appoint a permanent replacement for Celebi.
Several ground handling companies are reportedly interested in taking over Celebi’s operations, seeing this as an opportunity to expand their business in India.
Celebi’s Role and Reach
Celebi is part of a larger Turkish group with a significant presence in India. It operates through at least three companies, providing ground handling services at nine airports across the country, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur.
Celebi’s website states it handles 58,000 flights annually, 540,000 tonnes of cargo, and employs 7,800 people in India.
Background and Concerns
According to sources, concerns about Celebi’s operations in India have been brewing for some time. Turkey’s close ties with Pakistan, particularly its support during the recent conflict in the J&K region, raised red flags for Indian security agencies. The recent Pehelgam attack, which India blamed on Pakistan, appears to have been the final catalyst for this decision.
Further Developments
The revocation of Celebi’s security clearance is a significant development in India-Turkey relations. It remains to be seen how Turkey will respond to this move and what further impact it will have on bilateral ties.
