Turkish firm Celebi moves Delhi HC against revoking of security clearance

Turkish company Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd on Friday moved the Delhi High Court against the decision by aviation watchdog BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) to revoke its security clearance in the "interest of national security".

The security clearance of the firm was revoked days after Turkiye backed Pakistan and condemned India's strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country.

A lawyer associated with the case confirmed the filing and the plea is likely to be listed next week.

Celebi, operating in the Indian aviation sector for over 15 years and employing over 10,000 people, offers its services at nine airports.

In its order, BCAS said, "... the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security."

The security clearance to the company, part of Turkey's Celebi, was given in November 2022.

Celebi handles around 58,000 flights and 5,40,00 tonne of cargo annually in India, according to its website. It is present at Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chennai airports.

Pakistan had also used Turkish drones on a large scale in the military conflict with India.

In a statement issued earlier, Celebi Aviation India said it remains in full compliance with Indian aviation, national security, and tax regulations, and operates with complete transparency.

It rejected all allegations regarding the company's ownership and operations in India and reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the country's aviation sector.

Delhi airport operator DIAL had also said it has formally ended its association with Celebi entities responsible for ground handling and cargo operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd were overseeing ground handling and cargo terminal functions, respectively.