GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th May: Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. has approached the Delhi High Court challenging the cancellation of its security clearance by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), citing “national security interest.”
The petition comes days after Turkey publicly supported Pakistan and condemned India’s precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. Turkey has also supplied drones to Pakistan, which were reportedly used in military confrontations with India.
A lawyer associated with the case confirmed the legal move, and the plea is expected to be listed for hearing next week.
Celebi has operated in India’s aviation sector for over 15 years and currently employs more than 10,000 people. It provides ground handling and cargo services at nine major Indian airports, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Ahmedabad, Cochin, and Kannur.
BCAS, in its order, stated: “In the interest of national security, the security clearance granted to Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. is hereby revoked with immediate effect.” The clearance had been issued to Celebi’s Indian unit in November 2022.
According to the company’s website, Celebi handles around 58,000 flights and 540,000 tons of cargo annually across India.
Reacting to the development, Celebi Aviation India had earlier issued a statement asserting its full compliance with Indian aviation, national security, and tax regulations. The company denied all allegations related to ownership or operational concerns and reiterated its long-term commitment to the Indian aviation sector.
Following the revocation of clearance, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), operator of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), also confirmed the formal termination of its agreements with Celebi units responsible for ground handling and cargo services. Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd. had been handling these operations at IGIA.
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