The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a plea of Turkey-based ground handling company Celebi, which challenged the Central Government’s decision to revoke its security clearance over alleged national security concerns.
The government had revoked the security clearance for Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi Airport Services at the Indian airports, as calls grew to ban Turkish businesses in the wake of their country supporting Pakistan which harbours terrorism after Operation Sindoor. Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd (CASIPL) called the move arbitrary and based on “vague" national security concerns.
In its filing, Celebi argued that the order lacked any substantive reasoning and was issued without prior notice. “Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat… is unsustainable in law," the company stated. Celebi warned that the decision would impact 3,791 jobs, investor confidence, and disrupt essential airport services.
The Turkish company handles around 70 per cent of the ground operations at Mumbai airport, including passenger services, load control, flight operations, cargo and postal services, warehouses and bridge operations.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, had said in a post on X that we have received requests from across India to ban Celebi NAS Airport Services India Ltd, a Turkish company operating ground handling services at Indian airports.
“Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, we have taken cognizance of these requests and Ministry of Civil Aviation has revoked security clearance of the said company. Ensuring the safety and interests of the nation remains our top priority," the minister posted.
Since its entry in 2008, Celebi has expanded its presence in India’s aviation sector. As per reports, the firm is partly owned by Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Sumeyye Erdogan is married to Selcuk Bayraktar, the man who produces Bayraktar military drones which Pakistan used against India.
