New Delhi: In a significant move reflecting growing national security concerns, the Indian government has revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Turkey’s Celebi Group, which has been a major player in airport ground handling services across India for over 15 years.
The decision, announced by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), comes amid escalating tensions following Operation Sindoor, with widespread public and political calls for a boycott of products and companies associated with nations that supported Pakistan during the operation—most notably Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed the cancellation, stating, “We will take decisions in the interest of the nation. This is a security aspect, and we are in constant coordination with security agencies. The clearance for Celebi has been revoked with immediate effect.”
Celebi Airport Services India has been a leading private ground handling company operating at nine major airports, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi, Kannur, Goa, and Ahmedabad. The company claims to have directly employed over 10,000 Indians and invested more than USD 220 million in India’s aviation infrastructure.
Established in 1958, the Celebi Group is globally recognized in aviation services, including cargo handling, ramp services, flight operations, and aircraft cleaning. Besides India, it operates in countries such as Hungary, Germany, Indonesia, and Tanzania, serving over 400 airline customers worldwide.
Parallel to the government’s action against Celebi, Adani Airport Holdings Limited has terminated its agreement with Chinese company DragonPass, which provided airport lounge access services. A spokesperson for Adani confirmed that DragonPass users will no longer have access to lounges in airports managed by Adani.
The move is reportedly linked to concerns over data privacy, as DragonPass handles sensitive passenger data, including passport and travel history information. This step aligns with India’s broader apprehensions over Chinese involvement in strategic infrastructure and data ecosystems.
In a related development, Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi—the largest fruit and vegetable market in Asia—has announced a complete halt in the import of apples from Turkey. Mandi chairman Meetha Ram Kriplani stated, “We have supported Turkey for years, yet their actions during Operation Sindoor were disappointing. We will not place new apple orders from Turkey.”
According to records, India imported 1,16,000 tonnes of Turkish apples in 2024. Farmers and trade bodies are now demanding higher import duties and stricter restrictions on Turkish products, echoing nationalist sentiment and economic self-reliance.
Currently, Turkish companies are involved in infrastructure projects in at least five Indian states, including metro rail and tunnel developments in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir. The central government has initiated a detailed review of both government and private contracts with Turkish firms to evaluate their roles and influence.
Officials have indicated that depending on the assessment, Turkish firms may face removal from existing contracts if national interest is found to be at risk.
As India recalibrates its stance on economic cooperation and security, further actions are likely in the coming weeks, potentially impacting trade, infrastructure, and diplomatic engagements with the countries in question.
