The Centre on Thursday withdrew security clearance from Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd “with immediate effect in the interest of national security.” This will affect the security-sensitive ground handling this arm of Turkey’s Celebi Aviation offers at passenger and cargo terminals in Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad and Cochin.
Official Order Cites National Security Concerns
The order signed by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security joint director (operations) Sunil Yadav states: “The security clearance in respect of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, under the category Ground Handling Agency was approved by DG, BCAS (on) Nov 21, 2022. In exercise of power vested in DG, BCAS, the security clearance in respect of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect in the interest of national security.”
Celebi is among three companies providing both cargo and passenger terminal ground handling at Delhi, with AISATS and Bird Group being the other two. Operators of affected airports will have to quickly make some stopgap arrangements by asking other ground handlers to fill in for Celebi’s void. Subsequently they will issue a tender for appointing another ground handler. A number of ground holding companies are learnt to be eying this opportunity to get more business.
Presence of Celebi in India
Besides the company whose security clearance has been cancelled, Celebi in India has at least two additional companies. The group, through these three firm, handled ground handling at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin and Kannur airports.
Airport ground handlers perform several jobs to make aircraft operation on the ground efficient and safe. They load and offload baggage, cargo, and mail. They also provide passenger check-in, boarding, and ground services such as the delivery of fuel, maintenance of aircraft, and cleaning. Alongside this they also maneuver aircraft into parking spaces and make aircraft movement safe on the ground.
Expansion of Celebi in Indian Aviation
Celebi website says: “Çelebi’s presence in India grew exponentially with three different entities… started off with a JV at Mumbai International Airport. Within a year, Çelebi was registered in India to provide ground handling as Çelebi Airport Services India and cargo services as Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India at Delhi Airport. Within the last 10 years, these two stations have grown to become a total of nine (airports) in India.” The services it provides include passenger services; load control and flight operation; ramp services and general aviation services. It handles 58,000 flights here annually; 5.4 lakh tonnes of cargo and employs 7,800 employees.
Security Establishment’s Concerns Over Turkey Link
“While Turkey has always sided with Pakistan, its support to the latter during Operation Sindoor has been at a different level. For a long time now, Celebi operating at Indian airports had been a red flag but now we have to ask ourselves whether we want to give business to a company from an openly hostile nation. The security establishment’s chatter over Celebi has been ongoing for a while but Turkey’s statements and support for Pakistan in the aftermath of the dastardly Pehelgam attack proved to be the last straw,” said multiple sources.
