Social media users have started urging people to boycott travel to Turkey following the reports that Turkey had supplied drones to Pakistan shortly after India carried out precision airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. These strikes came in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22. 

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground handling company Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, according to an official order issued on Thursday.

Although India and Pakistan have agreed to a de-escalation and suspended cross-border firing, public anger in India remains high.

Now, Indians have shifted focus to Celebi Aviation, a Turkish company. This company handles high-security operations at several major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. There are growing calls demanding the company’s removal from India.

Celebi Aviation Holding is a Turkish company that provides integrated ground handling services in the aviation sector. The company began in 1958 as Turkey’s first privately-owned ground handling firm. It gradually expanded to become a global aviation services provider. Today, it operates in three continents, six countries, and 70 airports worldwide. Celebi employs over 15,000 people.

Celebi entered the Indian market to provide high-quality ground handling and cargo services. It established Celebi Airport Services India to manage ground operations and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India for cargo handling at Delhi’s international airport.

Since then, the company has significantly expanded across India. It now operates at nine major Indian airports, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur. Across these airports, Celebi handles over 58,000 flights and 540,000 tonnes of cargo every year. The company employs about 7,800 people in India.

According to a report by Moneycontrol, around 75% of Celebi’s business in India comes from foreign airlines. The remaining 25% comes from Indian carriers, including IndiGo and Air India.

Celebi NAS Airport Services is under fire due to its Turkish ownership. This concern has grown amid the strained diplomatic ties between India and Turkey.

With national security in focus, many have raised concerns over Celebi’s role in handling sensitive airport operations. The company is involved in ground handling, cargo services, and airside operations. These roles grant access to restricted airport zones, direct interaction with aircraft, and handling of international baggage and cargo.

Celebi’s staff also operate in airside areas—zones that remain strictly regulated because of their proximity to aircraft and other critical aviation assets.

Additional concerns have emerged over alleged links between Celebi and Turkey’s Bayraktar drones used by Pakistan.

Defence analyst Abhijit Iyer-Mitra told News18 that the situation is more serious than it appears. He said, “We suspect around 10% of the firm is owned by Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Sumeyye Erdogan is married to Selçuk Bayraktar, the man who produces Bayraktar drones which Pakistan used against India.” He added, “The Celebi terminal in Delhi overlooks the VVIP technical area where electronic intelligence aircraft are stationed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s VIP aircraft comes in the vicinity. I don’t need to spell out that this is alarming.”

These claims, along with Celebi’s access to sensitive zones, have sparked outrage among strategic experts and former diplomats. Many are now calling for concrete action against the company.

Former diplomat Rajiv Dogra posted on X, saying, “Time for India to issue advisory against travel to Turkey, ban Turkish Airline operations, cancel Celebi’s airport contracts and increase tariffs on Turk exports to India.”

Celebi Aviation faces ultimatum to quit Mumbai Airport, firm reacts

The controversy surrounding Celebi Aviation escalated this week due to political intervention. Pressure mounted over its involvement at Mumbai’s international airport.

On Monday, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Murji Patel led a delegation to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL). He demanded that MIAL terminate its contract with Celebi NAS Airport Services. The company currently handles nearly 70% of ground operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

Patel issued a 10-day ultimatum. He warned that protests would follow if MIAL did not cancel the contract.

“Turkey may not be firing weapons directly, but supplying drones that are used to target our borders is no less than a hostile act,” Patel told the media in Mumbai. “We cannot allow a country that supports our enemy to make money off Indian infrastructure,” he added. Patel is the MLA from the Andheri East Assembly constituency in the Mumbai Suburban district.

Amid rising backlash, Celebi Aviation issued a statement. Tauseef Khan, the CEO of Celebi’s ground handling operations in India, responded with a formal clarification. He stated that the company does not pursue any political agenda.

The Union government has  now REVOKED the security clearance of Turkish firm Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd with IMMEDIATE EFFECT.