Turkish ground-handling firm operating at Indian airports loses security clearance
Aviation watchdog Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on Thursday revoked the security clearance for Turkish ground-handling company Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited in the "interest of national security".
The decision came days after Turkiye backed Pakistan in the recent conflict with India.
"In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in respect of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security," an official order by BCAS Joint Director Sunila Yadav read.
The company has been operating in India for more than a decade at key airports such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kannur, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chennai, where it provided a range of services, including ramp, passenger, cargo handling, bridge operations, and lounge management.
As per the Turkish firm's website, the company has catered to 5.8 lakh tonnes of cargo and has around 7,800 employees in India.
The social media of late has been abuzz about Turkey's support to Pakistan. The Indian Armed Forces during a media briefing recently had said that Pakistan used advanced weaponry provided by Turkey, which included their drones, to attack India. Since then, the calls for boycotting Turkish goods and tourism surfaced across the country.
Hours before the official order, Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu had hinted at a possible action against the company. "This is a security aspect and we are talking with the security agencies. It is in our notice. We know what is happening and will take the decision in the interest of the nation," Naidu told reporters in Jammu.
