India Cancels Celebi Aviation’s Clearance After Operation Sindoor

India Cancels Çelebi Aviation’s Clearance: On 15 May 2025, the Indian government cancelled the security clearance of Çelebi Aviation, a Turkish company that operates at several major airports in India. This move follows growing tensions between India and Pakistan, and Turkey’s support for Pakistan in the recent conflict.

India Cancels Çelebi Aviation’s Clearance:
Çelebi Aviation is a ground-handling company that provides services like luggage handling, cargo management, and passenger support at airports. It has a presence at nine major Indian airports including Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. The company entered India in 2008 and handles about 58,000 flights and over 5 lakh tons of cargo every year.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation revoked Çelebi’s clearance through a formal notification, stating it was done in the interest of national security. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued the order, which takes effect immediately. The clearance had earlier been granted in 2022.

This decision comes after Turkey openly supported Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s military response called “Operation Sindoor.” Since then, public opinion in India has turned against Turkey. Many Indian tourists have started cancelling their trips to Turkey, and social media is full of calls to boycott Turkish products and services.

Political pressure also played a role. Shiv Sena, a regional political party in Maharashtra, had recently demanded that Mumbai International Airport end its contract with Çelebi. The party warned of protests if the company did not leave within 10 days.

Çelebi Aviation, founded in 1958 in Ankara, Turkey, is considered a major player in the global airport services market. Though some reports link it to Turkish President Erdoğan, there is no confirmed evidence of this.

With the security clearance now cancelled, it is likely that Çelebi will no longer be allowed to operate in Indian airports, unless the government reviews its decision. This step reflects India’s strong stand on national security and sends a message to foreign firms involved in sensitive operations.

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