India cancels Celebi airport services' security clearance after Turkey backs Pakistan in Operation Sindoor
India has revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India, a key player at nine major airports, citing national security concerns after Turkey¡¯s open support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and the use of Turkish drones against India.
India has revoked the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India, which operates ground handling and cargo services at nine major airports across the country. The decision came amid growing diplomatic strain with Turkey following its support for Pakistan during India¡¯s Operation Sindoor and concerns over national security.
Why Celebi¡¯s Clearance was revoked
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued an official notification revoking Celebi¡¯s clearance with immediate effect. The permit, originally granted on November 21, 2022, was cancelled citing ¡°the interest of national security.¡± Sources within the government said Celebi¡¯s operations posed a geographical and strategic risk, as civil aviation is a sensitive sector and Turkey has supplied weapons, including drones, to Pakistan.
How big is ?elebi in India? They're huge, with the growth in aviation, I'm sure all 7800 employees will get absorbed into whoever takes over their operations. India accounted for almost a quarter of revenues for them.
¡ª Kushan Mitra (@kushanmitra) May 15, 2025
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?elebi Aviation currently operates at nine major Indian¡
¡°In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security,¡± the official notification stated.
Government officials had earlier indicated that contracts involving Celebi were under review, especially those that could have direct implications for national security.
Celebi¡¯s role in Indian aviation
Celebi Airport Services has been operating in India since 2008 and plays a significant role in ground handling and cargo operations. It operates at key airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Ahmedabad, Cochin, and Kannur. Its operations include ramp services, load control, flight operations, cargo and postal services, warehouse management, and bridge-mounted equipment.
The company handles more than 58,000 flights and over 540,000 tonnes of cargo annually. It employs approximately 7,800 people in India and contributes nearly a quarter of Celebi Aviation Holding¡¯s global revenue.
There are two separate entities under Celebi in India: Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd for ground handling and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd for cargo services at Delhi Airport.
Broader backlash against Turkey
The decision on Celebi comes amid a wider backlash in India against Turkey¡¯s actions. Turkey openly supported Pakistan following India¡¯s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Turkish drones such as the Asisguard SONGAR and Bayraktar TB2 were reportedly used in the May 8 drone attacks against India. A Turkish warship and an Air Force C-130 were also seen in Karachi during this period.
Public sentiment has triggered a ¡°Boycott Turkey¡± campaign across India. Indian tourists are cancelling trips, and travel platforms have stopped offering Turkey itineraries. Prominent Indian universities, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), have suspended academic ties with Turkish institutions. Trade bodies, including the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), have also announced plans to end commercial relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
CAIT is expected to discuss a full trade boycott in a meeting in New Delhi. The organization has already been leading a similar campaign against Chinese imports.
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions¡ªyet!). For her, writing isn¡¯t just work; it¡¯s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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