Turkey faces heat as Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports end ties with Ankara’s Celebi over support to Pakistan

In a major fallout of escalating tensions with Turkey, India’s busiest airports — Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad have terminated their contracts with Turkish ground-handling giant Çelebi Airport Services, days after the Centre revoked its security clearance citing national security concerns.

The action comes amid growing calls within India to ban Turkish firms, especially in light of Turkey’s consistent backing of Pakistan (a country accused of harbouring terrorism)

On Thursday, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), operating under the Civil Aviation Ministry, issued a notification formally revoking the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd. The Turkish company had been managing key ground handling and cargo services at major airports including Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA).

Delhi Airport takes lead

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) was the first to cut ties with the firm. “In compliance with the directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to revoke the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has formally ended its association with Çelebi entities responsible for ground handling and cargo operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA),” the airport said in a statement.

This means Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd and Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd have now ceased operations at IGIA. DIAL confirmed it is coordinating with alternate service providers AISATS and Bird Group to ensure seamless continuity. “To ensure continuity and operational stability, DIAL is actively coordinating with the existing ground handling service providers AISATS and Bird Group. In case of cargo operation, DIAL is working towards onboarding one of the pre-approved handlers to ensure uninterrupted cargo operations,” the airport authority added.

Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports follow suit

Soon after Delhi’s announcement, airports in Mumbai and Ahmedabad also severed ties with the Turkish firm. “Following the Government of India’s decision to revoke Celebi’s security clearance, we have terminated the ground handling concession agreements with Celebi at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). Accordingly, Celebi has been directed to immediately hand over to us all ground handling facilities to ensure uninterrupted operations,” the statement from the two airports read.

“We will continue to provide seamless service to all airlines without disruptions through new ground handling agencies selected by us. All existing employees of Celebi at CSMIA and SVPIA will be transferred to the new ground handling agencies on their existing terms and conditions of employment. Ground handling operations at our airports will remain unaffected. We are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of service and national interest,” it added.

Government responds to public sentiment

The development also comes amid political pressure and growing public outcry. Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, said the move was a response to appeals from citizens. “We have received requests from across India to ban Celebi NAS Airport Services India Ltd, a Turkish company operating ground handling services at Indian airports,” Mohol said in a post on X.

“Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, we have taken cognizance of these requests and Ministry of Civil Aviation has revoked security clearance of the said company. Ensuring the safety and interests of the nation remains our top priority,” the minister added.

Who owns Çelebi and why the controversy?

Çelebi entered the Indian aviation market in 2008 and quickly expanded its footprint. It is reported that the company is partly owned by Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. She is married to Selcuk Bayraktar, the defence entrepreneur behind the Bayraktar military drones allegedly used by Pakistan against India.

This link has further inflamed suspicions, with political commentators suggesting that Ankara’s support to Islamabad may not just be a matter of foreign policy, but also influenced by familial and commercial interests of the Erdogan family.

BJP spokesperson Gourav Vallabh echoed this sentiment, warning of a larger economic impact on Turkey. “With growing clamour for ‘Turkey boycott’ in the country, the Middle-East nation will soon face the heat and lose a major share of tourism business from India,” Vallabh told IANS. “Turkey has already lost 10 per cent of tourists for betraying India and it will take a further hit, soon,” he added.