Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, May 16: Following the Centre's decision to revoke security clearance for Turkey-headquartered ground handling giant Çelebi, airports in Mumbai and Ahmedabad have now terminated their agreements with the company, marking a swift and coordinated move across India’s major airports to distance operations from the Turkish firm amid national security concerns.
The Adani Group, which operates both Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), Ahmedabad, confirmed the termination in a strongly worded statement, emphasizing that all of Çelebi’s ground handling facilities have been ordered to be handed over immediately.
The development comes barely 24 hours after Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which manages the capital’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, also severed ties with Çelebi entities for ground handling and cargo operations.
“We will continue to provide seamless services to all airlines without disruptions,” said spokespersons from Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports. They also reassured stakeholders that Çelebi’s existing Indian staff will be absorbed into new ground handling agencies without any change in terms and conditions of employment.
The Centre’s move, spearheaded by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), cited “national security grounds” for revoking security clearance to Çelebi Airport Services India and its associate entities, effectively bringing the Turkish-origin firm’s operations across Indian airports to a halt.
The decision has sent ripples through India’s aviation ecosystem, especially considering Çelebi’s substantial footprint — spanning ground handling services for nine major Indian airports, handling 58,000 flights and 5.4 lakh tonnes of cargo annually, and directly employing over 10,000 Indian staff.
The trigger appears to be Turkey’s open support to Pakistan in the recent India-Pakistan military escalation, including reports of Turkish drones being used by Pakistan against Indian positions. This has intensified domestic scrutiny over Turkish business interests in India’s critical infrastructure, especially airports.
While Çelebi has defended itself, stating that it is “truly an Indian enterprise” with Indian leadership and international investors, and not politically affiliated, the government appears unconvinced. The company also categorically denied allegations circulating on social media about Sümeyye Erdogan Bayraktar, daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, being a stakeholder — calling the claim “factually incorrect.”
The void left by Çelebi will be filled by Indian ground handling majors like AI Airport Services, Air India SATS, and Bird Group, who are already stepping in to ensure uninterrupted operations.
This sweeping action against Çelebi is also being seen as part of a broader strategic review of Turkish firms’ presence in India, with calls for a travel boycott to Turkey gaining momentum.
As aviation hubs gear up for the summer travel rush, the transition away from Çelebi underscores a powerful message — that national security takes precedence even in civilian operations, especially in sectors involving critical infrastructure.