News Brief
India Revokes Security Clearance For Turkish Aviation Firm Celebi After Operation Sindoor
Representative image of an airport.
India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has revoked the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India, the local arm of Turkey-headquartered Çelebi Aviation Holding, citing national security concerns, ANI reported.
The action takes immediate effect and follows rising calls in India to boycott Turkey and re-evaluate the presence of Turkish firms in the country, particularly after Operation Sindoor.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) confirmed the revocation on Thursday, stating it applies to all associate entities of Çelebi operating in India.
The move has disrupted the company’s operations at several major airports.
The BCAS order read: “In the exercise of power conferred upon DG (Director General), 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. This issues with the approval of DG, BCAS.”
The aviation ministry emphasised that national interest and public safety are paramount.
It added that it is coordinating with airport operators to ensure service continuity and is working to retain Çelebi staff under new employers.
The airports have started complying with the order.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport said, “Following the Government of India's decision to revoke Celebi's security clearance, we have terminated the ground handling concession agreements with Celebi…”
“In compliance with a directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Government of India, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) has transitioned it's ground handling operations from Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd., to other existing service providers..” Bengaluru Airport said in a statement.
The revocation comes amid a wider backlash against Turkey, spurred by Ankara’s open support for Islamabad during last week’s India-Pakistan conflict and Pakistan’s use of Turkish drones.
