Security clearance revoked with immediate effect citing national security concerns
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the security division of India’s civil aviation ministry, has abruptly revoked the operating license of Celebi Aviation, a ground handling agency with operations across nine major Indian airports.
“In the 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,” stated the official order issued Thursday.
Widespread operational impact
Celebi Airport Services provided ground handling services at some of India’s busiest aviation hubs, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Kannur, Chennai, and Goa’s MOPA airport. The company was reportedly in the process of expanding its operations to Visakhapatnam Airport when the license was revoked.
The ground handling agency serves numerous foreign airlines and cargo operators across these locations, meaning the sudden revocation could potentially disrupt services at multiple airports.
Company defends its Indian identity
In response to the government action, Celebi issued a statement defending its corporate identity: “Çelebi’s business in India is truly an Indian enterprise, led and managed by Indian professionals, deeply invested in the country, and committed to its growth. We are not a Turkish organization by any standard and adhere fully to globally accepted practices of corporate governance, transparency, and neutrality, with no political affiliations or links to any foreign government or individuals.”
The statement appears to address concerns raised by local politicians about the company’s Turkish origins.
Political pressure preceded the decision
The license revocation follows a campaign by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena party in Mumbai, which had demanded cancellation of operational permissions for the Turkish-affiliated firm. In a letter to Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (MIAL), Shiv Sena cited national security concerns, specifically noting Turkey’s diplomatic alignment with Pakistan during past military tensions with India.
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel had written: “As you are aware, Celebi NAS, a Turkish company, provides critical passenger and cargo ground handling services to various international and domestic airlines across Indian airports. Its continued presence and operations at Mumbai International Airport present potential risks and vulnerabilities which must not be overlooked.”
Company attempted to clarify status
Before the license revocation, Celebi’s CEO had attempted to address these concerns in a letter to Mumbai International Airport authorities, seen by Hindustan Times. The letter emphasized the company’s Indian operational structure: “Our business in India is truly an ‘Indian’ business, headed and managed by Indian citizens and deeply committed and invested in our local market in Mumbai. All investments were made through FIPB clearances as per FDI norms, and none of the board directors are Turkish nationals, as is being alleged.”
The letter further stated that Celebi employs over 3,000 Indian staff in Mumbai alone and that the company “is purely a business organization having no political affiliations or political views or alignment with the political views of any foreign country or its government.”
Despite these assurances, the government has proceeded with the revocation, citing unspecified national security concerns.
