NEW DELHI: Turkey-based aviation firm Celebi on Friday filed a case against the government’s move to revoke its security clearance , claiming the decision was based on “vague” national security concerns without any stated justification.
Celebi Airport Services India, in a May 16 filing seen by Reuters, asked the Delhi high court to set aside that decision, arguing it would impact 3,791 jobs and investor confidence, and was issued without any warning to the company.
"Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat to national security is unsustainable in law," the company said in the filing, which is not public.
The order "fails to disclose any specific or substantive reason except for a vague and general reference to 'national security'... (it) provides no reasons or justification," it added.
The government on Thursday had revoked the security clearance of Celebi and its associated companies, citing concerns "in the interest of national security." The move directly impacts Celebi's ground handling operations , considered sensitive from a security standpoint, at nine major Indian airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur.
Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd (CASIPL), along with two other group companies, manages ground handling operations at these locations.
“The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has revoked Celebi’s security clearance on grounds related to national security. Nothing is above the security of our nation and our fellow citizens. National interest and public safety are paramount and non-negotiable,” Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a statement. He added that efforts are underway to retain employees of Celebi and ensure continued handling of passenger and cargo services at the affected airports.
The order, which takes immediate effect, is widely seen as a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration that countries perceived to support Pakistan will face economic consequences. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan reportedly used Turkish-origin drones in attacks on Indian cities, triggering diplomatic fallout.
Amid growing public backlash, Turkish businesses are also feeling the heat in India. Tour operators have reported widespread cancellations of travel to Turkey, while protests have emerged against Turkish products such as marbles and apples.
Celebi, meanwhile, has denied any links to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s daughter, Sümeyye Erdoğan, who was reported to have a stake in the company. Sümeyye is married to Selçuk Bayraktar, the chairman of BAYKAR, the manufacturer of the drones allegedly used by Pakistan.
Concerns about potential disruption at Indian airports were eased after Delhi airport authorities announced the termination of their contract with CASIPL and assured continued smooth operations and employee retention. Most major airports in India work with multiple ground handling service providers. In Delhi, Bird Flight Services (BFS) and Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) are active. Bengaluru is served by AISATS and GlobeGround India, while Kochi has BFS, AI Airport Services Ltd (AIASL), and Agile (run by IndiGo).
Ground handling companies are responsible for a range of critical airport services, including baggage and cargo loading, passenger check-in and boarding, fueling, maintenance support, cleaning, and guiding aircraft safely on the tarmac.
Celebi Airport Services India, in a May 16 filing seen by Reuters, asked the Delhi high court to set aside that decision, arguing it would impact 3,791 jobs and investor confidence, and was issued without any warning to the company.
"Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat to national security is unsustainable in law," the company said in the filing, which is not public.
The order "fails to disclose any specific or substantive reason except for a vague and general reference to 'national security'... (it) provides no reasons or justification," it added.
The government on Thursday had revoked the security clearance of Celebi and its associated companies, citing concerns "in the interest of national security." The move directly impacts Celebi's ground handling operations , considered sensitive from a security standpoint, at nine major Indian airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur.
Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd (CASIPL), along with two other group companies, manages ground handling operations at these locations.
“The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has revoked Celebi’s security clearance on grounds related to national security. Nothing is above the security of our nation and our fellow citizens. National interest and public safety are paramount and non-negotiable,” Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a statement. He added that efforts are underway to retain employees of Celebi and ensure continued handling of passenger and cargo services at the affected airports.
The order, which takes immediate effect, is widely seen as a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration that countries perceived to support Pakistan will face economic consequences. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan reportedly used Turkish-origin drones in attacks on Indian cities, triggering diplomatic fallout.
Amid growing public backlash, Turkish businesses are also feeling the heat in India. Tour operators have reported widespread cancellations of travel to Turkey, while protests have emerged against Turkish products such as marbles and apples.
Celebi, meanwhile, has denied any links to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s daughter, Sümeyye Erdoğan, who was reported to have a stake in the company. Sümeyye is married to Selçuk Bayraktar, the chairman of BAYKAR, the manufacturer of the drones allegedly used by Pakistan.
Concerns about potential disruption at Indian airports were eased after Delhi airport authorities announced the termination of their contract with CASIPL and assured continued smooth operations and employee retention. Most major airports in India work with multiple ground handling service providers. In Delhi, Bird Flight Services (BFS) and Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) are active. Bengaluru is served by AISATS and GlobeGround India, while Kochi has BFS, AI Airport Services Ltd (AIASL), and Agile (run by IndiGo).
Ground handling companies are responsible for a range of critical airport services, including baggage and cargo loading, passenger check-in and boarding, fueling, maintenance support, cleaning, and guiding aircraft safely on the tarmac.
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