The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected a plea made by Turkish company Celebi Aviation, which had challenged the Indian government's move to cancel its security clearance based on national security reasons.
Justice Sachin Datta, who was hearing the case, decided against stepping into the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security's (BCAS) May 15 order.
The notification revoked the security clearance earlier awarded to Celebi, which offers ground handling services at several airports in India.
The government took the step in wake of Turkey's strong support for Pakistan in the diplomatic row after India's Operation Sindoor. The operation was conducted to avenge the murder of 26 civilians in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. India was condemned by Turkey for its retaliation and openly took the side of Islamabad.
Also, Turkish-made drones were allegedly deployed by Pakistan in cross-border military operations, further worsening relations between Ankara and New Delhi.
Celebi Airport Services India, the domestic arm of the Turkish conglomerate Celebi, operated ground services at nine major Indian airports, including those in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Ahmedabad, Cochin, and Kannur.
At Mumbai’s international airport, Celebi was responsible for handling nearly 70% of ground operations, covering critical services like passenger facilitation, flight and load management, cargo handling, postal logistics, and operation of air bridges and warehouses.
Celebi made its mark in India back in 2008, and since then it has established itself as a major ground services player in the aviation industry. The company reportedly has connections with Turkish political figures—Sumeyye Erdogan, President Tayyip Erdogan's daughter, is reported to be a shareholder of the company. Her spouse, Selcuk Bayraktar, is the creator of the Bayraktar drones, which are said to have been deployed by Pakistan in recent military actions against India.
This connection has evoked fears that the support of the Turkish government to Pakistan is not just a diplomatic gesture but encompasses personal and business interests connected with the Erdogan family, as per reports from different sources.
After BCAS revoked it, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru (BIAL) quickly transferred its ground handling from Celebi to other existing handlers.
Before the transition took place, Celebi had handled ground support for approximately 15 worldwide and cargo flights at Bengaluru airport.
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