Turkey Firm Handling High-Security Tasks At 9 Indian Airports Under Govt Lens
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Celebi began operations in India in 2008 and its services include passenger handling, ramp operations, flight operations, cargo and postal services and general aviation support
In the aftermath of the India-Pakistan conflict, in which Turkey helped Pakistan with drones, government sources suggest India is likely to review contracts given to Turkey-based Celebi Aviation, which handles high-security tasks at nine Indian airports, including in the national capital Delhi and economic capital Mumbai.
Though there is no time frame given by the government, sources suggest the government will begin by reviewing financial relations where national security is directly linked. Celebi falls under that category. Earlier, government sources told News18 that India will severe trade ties, should it come to this, given Turkey's role of supporting a 'terror state".
Not just from a national security but also from a political angle, the government is under pressure to be seen to be acting decisively. On Monday, Shiv Sena leader Murji Patel led a delegation to the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), urging them to end their association with Celebi NAS Airport Services, which currently handles around 70 per cent of the ground operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The Maharashtra opposition leader issued a 10-day ultimatum to MIAL to cancel the contract, warning of protests if no action is taken.
But politics is just a small part of it. The bigger concern is its national security vulnerabilities. Defence analyst Abhijit Mitra Iyer told News18: 'The matter is far more serious than it appears to be. We suspect around 10 per cent of the firm is owned by Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Sumeyye Erdogan is married to Selçuk Bayraktar, the man who produces Bayraktar drones which Pakistan used against India. The Celebi terminal in Delhi overlooks the VVIP technical area where electronic intelligence aircraft are stationed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's VIP aircraft comes in the vicinity. I don't need to spell out that this is alarming."
Aviation consultant Sanjay Lazar claims Celebi was granted security clearance, ironically after 26/11, when the UPA government was in power. 'Many aviation trade unions affiliated to the Shiv Sena, (including ours) under late Balasaheb Thackeray-ji had vigorously opposed the entry of Celebi…", he said on social media. Lazar adds that Celebi tried to cover up their Turkish ownership whenever the issue surfaced due to friction with India.
Celebi began operations in India in 2008 and has since expanded to nine airports: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Goa (Manohar International), and Kannur. It provides ground handling, cargo, and aviation services through two main entities: Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd. for ground handling and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd for cargo services. Services include passenger handling, ramp operations, load control, flight operations, cargo and postal services, warehouse management, bridge-mounted equipment, and general aviation support. Celebi handles over 58,000 flights and 540,000 tons of cargo annually in India, employing around 7,800 staff.
But with Turkey taking a clear side in India's conflict with Pakistan and arming them with drones, the firm is now under the government's lens.
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Hindustan Times
31 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
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The Wire
33 minutes ago
- The Wire
After Pahalgam and Sindoor: Questions India Must Ask Itself
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Security After Pahalgam and Sindoor: Questions India Must Ask Itself Sanjiv Krishan Sood 4 minutes ago While India's armed response to the Pahalgam massacre was swift and strategically effective, the deeper questions about intelligence failures, foreign policy and the sustainability of retaliatory doctrine remain unresolved. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now If Operation Sindoor began as a limited attack on nine locations linked to Pakistan-based terrorist groups, the Pakistani response prompted the Indian defence forces to undertake a number of actions aimed at Pakistan's military establishment. 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On the nights of May 6th and 7th, nine terrorist camps were reportedly neutralized, and numerous militants killed. But can we truly say the infrastructure has been dismantled? Is the deterrent strong enough to prevent future attacks? The evidence doesn't inspire confidence. Since the 2016 Uri surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot air strikes following Pulwama, Pakistan-based terrorists have continued to strike at Indian targets. Pathankot, Kathua, Udhampur, and other places have seen terror attacks even after high-profile retaliatory actions. Supporting terrorism in India appears to be entrenched in Pakistan's state doctrine. The reported decision of the Pakistani government to offer financial aid to the families of slain terrorists and rebuild destroyed camps signals no intent to step back. More troubling is the international silence. Aside from muted support from Russia, India has struggled to garner vocal backing from major global powers. 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Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Modi's Search for Global Solidarity Rings Hollow Amid Rising Domestic Intolerance in India Eight Days, Nine Rallies, Six States: Tracking PM Modi and Operation Sindoor as Campaign Ammunition Gandhi's and Modi's Reflections on 'Sindoor' Are Poles Apart Modi Says 'Not Blood, Hot Sindoor' Flows In His Veins In First Public Address Since Op Sindoor Why a Special Session of the Parliament is Critical to Discuss the Disclosure Made by CDS Chauhan 'Trade Offer Averted India-Pakistan War': Trump Administration Tells US Court From Flowers to Sarees, A Story of PM Modi's Communication Imagery Post-Operation Sindoor By Calling For the Boycott of Foreign Goods, Modi Contradicts Himself Facing Pushback, Derision and Anger, BJP Says News of Sindoor Distribution Plans 'Fake' View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Indian Express
34 minutes ago
- Indian Express
For a $5 trillion economy, India must embrace cutting-edge tech
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