The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground-handling company Celebi, in the aftermath of Turkey’s support to Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. Nine airports were using ground-handling services of Celebi. Now, there are two major concerns – one, who would immediately restore the service Celebi has been offering and, two, what would happen to the employees.
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Mumbai Airport, after holding a joint meeting with all affected airlines, decided to appoint (for the interim) another ground-handling company – Indo Thai Airport Services (which is operating at the nine airports that Celebi too was operating in) for a period of three months with immediate effect. Indo Thai Airport Services has committed to meet the existing Service Level Agreements (SLA) and conditions.
Mumbai airport will transfer all employees of Celebi to the interim service provider on their existing conditions of employment – which will ensure no job losses and also continuity.
Nothing is above the security of our nation and our fellow citizens. National interest and public safety are paramount and non-negotiableRam Mohan Naidu, minister for civil aviation
It may be recalled that on 15 May, the security clearance for Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited was ‘revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security’, read the statement.
“Nothing is above the security of our nation and our fellow citizens. National interest and public safety are paramount and non-negotiable,” said Ram Mohan Naidu, minister for civil aviation. Meanwhile, Delhi airport too has severed ties with Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, which oversees cargo services at Delhi International Airport.
‘Not a Turkish organisation’
Celebi Aviation contends that it is a ‘global company with a legacy of over 65 years in aviation services, delivering ground handling and cargo operations across three continents and six countries.’ “As clearly illustrated, Celebi’s business in India is truly an Indian enterprise, led and managed by Indian professionals, deeply invested in the country, and committed to its growth. We are not a Turkish organisation by any standards and adhere fully to globally accepted practices of corporate governance, transparency and neutrality, with no political affiliations or links to any foreign government or individuals,” Celebi’s spokesperson said in a statement. Çelebi Aviation India has also stated that it was a professionally governed, globally operated aviation services company. “Today, it is majority-owned (65 per cent) by international institutional investors from across Canada, the US, the UK, Singapore, the UAE and western Europe. Actera Partners II LP, a Jersey-registered fund, holds 50 per cent ownership in Çelebi Havacılık Holding AS. The remaining 15 per cent is held by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch-registered entity,” the statement adds.
This revocation happened after an anti-Turkey, ‘Boycott Turkey’ slogan gained momentum, following Turkey supporting Pakistan in its conflict against India. Turkey shares close links with Pakistan through trade, banking and tourism and their military are dependent on each other.
During the conflict between India and Pakistan – Operation Sindoor –Turkey was verbally supporting Pakistan after India’s precision attacks on eight terror bases on Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. It also provided a majority of the drones fired by Pakistan towards India on the night of 8 May. These included the
Turkish Asisguard Songar and the Bayraktar TB2, an unmanned combat aerial vehicle.