In a move reflecting heightened national security concerns, the Indian government has revoked the security clearance granted to Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd, a Turkish ground handling firm. The order, issued by the Directorate General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (DG, BCAS), is effective immediately. This decision is poised to have significant repercussions for the aviation sector, particularly at major Indian airports where Çelebi plays a crucial role.
Çelebi Aviation has been operating in India since 2008 and has established a significant presence in the country's aviation industry. The company manages ground handling and cargo operations at nine major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur. Çelebi handles over 58,000 flights and 540,000 tons of cargo annually, supported by approximately 7,800 employees. Its services encompass a range of critical functions, including ramp services, load control and flight operations, bridge operations, cargo and postal services, and warehouse management. These tasks are considered high-security jobs due to the sensitive and regulated nature of the airport environment.
The revocation of security clearance means Çelebi will no longer be able to perform these security-sensitive ground handling operations at the affected airports. This will likely necessitate a swift rearrangement of ground handling responsibilities, with other service providers stepping in to fill the void. Reports suggest that airport operators will need to make stopgap arrangements, potentially by asking existing ground handlers to take on more work, followed by a tender process for a new ground handler.
The decision to revoke Çelebi's security clearance is rooted in growing concerns over Turkey's alleged support for Pakistan, particularly in light of recent events. Tensions between India and Turkey have been on the rise, exacerbated by Turkey's perceived alignment with Pakistan on various issues. Specifically, Turkey's provision of military aid, including drones and personnel, to Pakistan during recent military confrontations has raised alarms in India.
Given Çelebi's Turkish background and its involvement in sensitive airport operations, the Indian government appears to be taking a cautious approach to safeguard national security. All of Çelebi Aviation’s services in India, such as aircraft ramp handling, passenger services, baggage handling and cargo warehousing, have security concerns. The fact that the company, while registered in India as Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management, is ultimately a Turkish entity has triggered closer scrutiny, especially considering the alleged military cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan.
The move has already triggered reactions, with some calling for the complete removal of Çelebi from India. There have been demands to boycott travel to Turkey and calls for terminating Çelebi's contracts at Indian airports. Shiv Sena leader Murji Patel led a delegation to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), demanding that Çelebi’s services be terminated.
This decision reflects a growing trend of nations prioritizing national security interests when making economic and operational decisions, especially in sensitive sectors like aviation. The revocation of Çelebi Aviation's security clearance underscores the importance of geopolitical factors in shaping international business relations and the stringent oversight required for companies operating in critical infrastructure sectors.
