Why India has cancelled clearance for Turkish firm, running high-security tasks at airports

After India’s Operation Sindoor, the spotlight has turned not just on Pakistan, but also on Turkey, which is now facing a wave of backlash from Indians.

Social media is abuzz with calls to boycott travel to Turkey , triggered by reports that the country allegedly supplied drones to Pakistan shortly after India carried out precision airstrikes on terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes were a direct response to the brutal Pahalgam attack that left 26 civilians dead on April 22.

Even though both countries have since agreed to a ceasefire and halt cross-border firing, anger in India hasn’t subsided.

The Centre on Thursday cancelled security clearance for a Turkish firm, Celebi Aviation, which handles high-security task operations at major Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

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Here’s what’s going on.

All about Celebi Aviation

Celebi Aviation Holding is a Turkish-origin company specialising in integrated ground handling services in the aviation industry.

Founded in 1958, Celebi was Turkey’s first privately-owned ground handling firm. Over the years, it has grown into a global aviation services provider with a presence across three continents, six countries, and 70 airports worldwide. The company employs over 15,000 people.

In India, Celebi entered the market with the aim of delivering world-class ground handling and cargo services. It soon established two dedicated entities: Celebi Airport Services India, which manages ground handling operations, and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, responsible for cargo handling at Delhi’s international airport.

Since then, Celebi’s has expanded its operations in India significantly. The company now functions at nine major Indian airports, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur.

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Across these airports, Celebi handles more than 58,000 flights and 540,000 tonnes of cargo annually, with a workforce of approximately 7,800 employees on the ground.

As per a Moneycontrol report, Celebi Aviation Holdings conducts nearly 75 per cent of its business with foreign carriers, while the remaining 25 per cent is with Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, among many others.

Why was Celebi Aviation under scrutiny?

Celebi NAS Airport Services had landed in controversy due to its Turkish ownership—an issue that has become increasingly sensitive in light of India’s strained ties with Turkey.

With national security now a top concern, the company’s role in handling high-security operations at key Indian airports had raised serious red flags.

Celebi provided ground handling, cargo logistics, and airside services—functions that involve access to restricted airport zones, direct contact with aircraft, and handling of international baggage and cargo.

Further, Celebi’s staff operated in airside areas—zones that are strictly controlled due to their proximity to aircraft and other sensitive aviation infrastructure.

Adding to the unease are alleged links between the company and the Turkish drones used by Pakistan.

Defence analyst Abhijit Iyer-Mitra explained the connection to News18, “The matter is far more serious than it appears to be. We suspect around 10 per cent of the firm is owned by Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Sumeyye Erdogan is married to Selçuk Bayraktar, the man who produces Bayraktar drones which Pakistan used against India. The Celebi terminal in Delhi overlooks the VVIP technical area where electronic intelligence aircraft are stationed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s VIP aircraft comes in the vicinity. I don’t need to spell out that this is alarming.”

These alleged links and concerns over their access at key Indian airports had triggered strong reactions from strategic experts and former diplomats, many of whom called for strict action against the company.

On Thursday, India revoked the security clearance of the Turkish firm “in the interest of national security”.

Celebi Aviation faces ultimatum to quit Mumbai Airport, firm reacts

The controversy surrounding Celebi Aviation had escalated further this week as political pressure mounted on the company’s operations at Mumbai’s international airport.

On Monday, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Murji Patel led a delegation to the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), demanding that it end its association with Celebi NAS Airport Services. The Turkish-origin firm currently handles nearly 70 per cent of the ground operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

Patel issued a 10-day ultimatum to MIAL, warning that protests would follow if the contract isn’t cancelled.

“Turkey may not be firing weapons directly, but supplying drones that are used to target our borders is no less than a hostile act,” Patel said during a press interaction in Mumbai earlier this week.

“We cannot allow a country that supports our enemy to make money off Indian infrastructure,” added Patel, who is the MLA from Andheri East Assembly constituency in the Mumbai Suburban district.

Amid growing backlash, Celebi Aviation broke its silence. Tauseef Khan, CEO of the firm’s ground handling operations in India, issued a formal clarification distancing the company from any political agenda.

“Our business in India is truly an Indian business and is headed and managed by Indian citizens. All our investments were made through Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearances as per FDI norms and none of the board directors are Turkish nationals as is being alleged. We are security cleared by the relevant regulatory bodies in India,” Khan wrote in a letter to MIAL.

With input from agencies