In a huge setback to the Turkish-origin multinational aviation company, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the security arm of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, on Thursday cancelled the licence of Celebi Aviation. This is a major blow to the company, which operates at nine airports in India, including Cochin and Kannur. The firm now faces a significant disruption amid growing regulatory scrutiny.
Founded in 1958, Celebi Aviation is a Turkish multinational company and the first private ground handling firm in Turkey. Over the decades, it has expanded to 70 locations worldwide, offering a range of services including ground handling, cargo and warehouse management, and general aviation support.
Celebi Aviation entered the Indian market through Mumbai airport and has since expanded its presence to nine airports, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Kannur, Goa (Mopa), and Ahmedabad. Its services in India cover passenger assistance, flight operations, cargo handling, warehouse management, and air bridge operations.
The BCAS cited “national interests” as the reason for revoking Celebi Aviation’s security clearance, effectively barring the company from continuing its operations at Indian airports. While no detailed explanation was provided, the move comes against the backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions. Turkey and Azerbaijan—nations closely linked to Celebi—recently expressed support for Pakistan and criticised India’s counter-terror operations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor.
In response to the BCAS directive, Delhi International Airport has already severed ties with Celebi Aviation. Other airports where the company operates may soon follow suit.
Reacting to the licence cancellation, Celebi Aviation India issued a statement distancing itself from any political affiliations. “We are not a Turkish organisation 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 company said.
With its security clearance revoked, Celebi Aviation’s future in India remains uncertain. The company may explore legal or diplomatic options to contest the decision or seek to re-engage with Indian regulators. However, with national security flagged as the key issue, the prospects of a reversal appear slim at present.
