Latest news with #Celebi
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
After cases in Delhi and Mumbai, Turkey-based Celebi takes legal battle to Madras High Court
After moving the Delhi High Court and the Bombay High Court, Turkey-headquartered airport ground handling major Celebi has now knocked on the doors of the Madras High Court as part of its legal battle against Indian aviation authorities and airports following the revocation of its security clearance in India—a key market—and the consequent termination of its contracts by various Indian airports. One of Celebi's Indian subsidiaries—Celebi GS Chennai Pvt Ltd—has filed two arbitration applications and a request for interim measures against the Airports Authority of India (AAI) before the Madras High Court against the termination of its contract at the AAI-operated Chennai International Airport. '…our subsidiary, Celebi GS Chennai Private Limited, 100% of whose capital belongs to our company, filed two arbitration applications with a request for interim measures against the Airports Authority of India at the High Court of Judicature at Madras on 26.05.2025 and 27.05.2025 regarding the unjust unilateral termination of the Ground Handling Concession Agreement regarding CGSC's operations in Chennai International Airport due to the cancellation of the security permit of CGSC by the Civil Aviation Security Bureau of the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India on the grounds that it poses a threat to national security,' parent company Celebi Hava Servici said in a regulatory filing in Istanbul. The lawsuits follow cases filed by three other Celebi subsidiaries—Celebi Airport Services India, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, and Celebi Nas Airport Services India—before the Delhi High Court and the Bombay High Court against the security clearance revocation and the resultant cancellation of Celebi contracts by the operators of Delhi and Mumbai airports. Amid the backlash in India over Turkey's support for Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, India's aviation security regulator BCAS on May 15 revoked the security clearance of an Indian arm—Celebi Airport Services India—of Celebi on grounds related to 'national security' with immediate effect. The revocation also applies to other associate entities of Çelebi in India. This led to Indian airports terminating their contracts with Celebi group companies. Defending itself, Celebi Airport Services India said that it is 'truly an Indian enterprise' led and managed by Indian professionals, and is 'not a Turkish organisation by any standard'. Celebi, which operated through five subsidiaries at nine Indian airports, is challenging the revocation of its security clearance and the resultant cancellation of contracts by the airports before various courts. The company has argued before the courts that the revocation of its security clearance was in violation of due procedure and natural justice as the Centre suddenly cancelled the clearance without notice and any opportunity for the company to make its case. On its part, the government has argued that it can exercise its plenary powers in the interest of national security and aviation security. The Delhi High Court reserved its order in the case, while a vacation bench of the Bombay High Court granted temporary relief to Celebi by restraining Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) from finalising the tender to replace Celebi's subsidiary till the matter is heard by the regular court. India is an important market for Celebi, and the company's share price has declined almost 21 per cent since the revocation of its India security clearance. According to the company's regulatory filings, in its consolidated revenue of around $585 million in 2024, its five Indian arms cumulatively accounted for a 33.8 per cent share, which comes out to over $195 million. Celebi operated at nine Indian airports—Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Kannur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Goa (Mopa). The airports and airlines that were working with Celebi are turning to the other major ground handling players in India's aviation sector like AI Airport Services, Air India SATS Airport Services, the Bird group, and Indo Thai Aviation Services. Ground handling refers to operations that are critical for flights to be prepared and operated. These include passenger handling and check-in, baggage handling, cargo handling and management, aircraft servicing and maintenance, ramp services, and catering. Celebi Airport Services India said that it is a globally operated aviation services company with no political links or affiliation, and is majority-owned by international institutional investors. The company also termed as 'factually incorrect' the allegations about its ownership that have been doing rounds on social media. These include the claim that Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar—daughter of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—is a part owner in Celebi. The company categorically rejected this claim.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Hostilities with Pak suspended, but it's not business as usual yet
Though hostilities with Pakistan have been suspended, it is not business as usual. Following security concerns expressed by the Union government, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has revoked the security clearance of Istanbul-based airport ground handling firm, Celebi Airport Services India. Celebi, an old player in airport services, and with 10,000 employees in India, now faces the prospect of being ousted from the 9 airports it had ongoing contracts. The trigger has been Turkey's undiluted support for Pakistan. Not only did Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greet the Pakistani PM Shebaz Sharif as 'his brother', but he ensured a steady supply of Turkey's advanced Bayraktar drones launched on India. In its defense, Celebi has said it has no political affiliations, that it is not a Turkish government organization, and it is not owned by Turkish capital. The company points out it is in existence since 1958 as a global airport services firm. Its majority 50 percent owner is Actera Partners, a New Jersey-registered fund, while 15 percent is held by Alpha Airport Sevices BV, a Netherlands company. It goes without saying national and security interests are paramount, and must prevail over business interests. Business organisations have been known to be moles working for the enemy. In this case though, Celebi has run the security gauntlet and had been given a license to operate in India. Has some new, palpable evidence changed that perception? One can understand Turkey needs to be taught a lesson. But should a company with a fairly long run in India, and with no apparent evidence of security breaches, become the collateral damage?
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
PM Modi urges Indians to buy locally made goods amid Turkey, Azerbaijan boycott calls
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to reduce their dependence on foreign goods and use domestically made products instead, saying it is vital to India's goal of becoming a developed nation and the world's third-largest economy by 2047. Modi's remarks on Tuesday came in the wake of a four-day conflict with Pakistan, triggered by a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir by Pakistan-backed terrorists. In response, India launched targeted strikes against terrorist camps across the border. Addressing an event at Gandhinagar during a two-day visit to Gujarat, Modi said India must aim to become a developed nation and the third-largest economy by 2047 through collective effort and commitment. "We must not use foreign goods (and promote domestically made products)," he said. Businessmen should avoid selling foreign products no matter how profitable it is, he added. A strong boycott movement has gained momentum in India after Turkey and Azerbaijan reportedly backed Pakistan during the recent conflict. Indian tour operators have withdrawn promotional packages to both countries, social media is abuzz with boycott calls, and many Indian tourists are cancelling their travel plans to these destinations. The ground-handling license of Turkish company Celebi at Indian airports has been withdrawn. 'Operation Sindoor began with the strength of our armed forces on the night of 6 May, and will now advance with the strength of the people,' Modi said. "Every citizen must become a partner in the nation's development," he added. Modi said government initiatives such as 'Vocal for Local' and 'One District One Product' (ODOP) would drive reliance on domestic products. He added that Indians should aim to use domestic products, except those that are not made locally and must be imported. He underscored the government's goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, saying there would be no compromise in achieving this milestone. India's urban centers, including tier 2 and tier 3 cities, should become vibrant hubs of economic growth and activity, he added. The Bharatiya Janta Party-led government's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' initiative aims to transform India into a developed nation by the centenary of its independence. The initiative prioritises inclusive economic growth, social equity, environmental sustainability, and strong governance, laying the foundation for a prosperous and resilient India, according to the government. It also aims for robust adoption of renewable energy, world-class education, improved healthcare, enhanced infrastructure, transparent governance, and inclusive development. The prime minister said India has become the world's fourth-largest economy, marking a proud milestone for the nation. He said there was widespread excitement, especially among the youth, when India advanced from sixth to fifth place by surpassing the United Kingdom, which ruled India for 250 years. Modi also said the recent conflict could no longer be seen as a proxy war, highlighting that terrorists killed after 6 May were honoured with state ceremonies in Pakistan. He said this reflected a deliberate war strategy rather than proxy actions, and that the adversary had received a proportionate response. He added, however, that India remains committed to peace and progress, and aims to contribute to global welfare. Modi's call to reduce dependence on foreign goods and boost domestic production also comes against the backdrop of rising trade reliance on China and Beijing's reported support to Pakistan during the recent conflict. His remarks reflect growing concern about the strategic risks of economic dependence amid regional security tensions. India goods trade with China touched $113.45 billion in FY25, with a record trade deficit of $99.2 billion.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Chennai Airport terminates agreement with Celebi's Indian subsidiary
The Chennai Airport on Tuesday terminated its agreement with Indian subsidiary of Turkish aviation firm Celebi, reported Reuters. The decision comes after the Centre had revoked security clearance of the firm. The clearance is a prerequisite under Indian law for companies providing critical services at airports, including passenger and baggage handling. The government's decision follows reports that the Pakistani army had used Turkish drones against India in the recent conflict. Nonetheless, Turkey has also expressed its support to Pakistan in 'good and bad' times after India's Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist infrastructure in the neighbouring nation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Klik Di Sini Undo Celebi vs MIAL The decision comes after the Bombay High Court on Monday directed Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) to hold off on awarding new contracts for ground and bridge handling services at the city's international airport. The local subsidiary of a Turkish firm has approached the court under Section 9 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act after the Adani Group-owned airport operating company decided to appoint IndoThai as the interim ground handling provider at CSMIA (Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) for the next three months. Live Events Currently, Turkish handling service provider Celebi has filed two separate suits in the Bombay High Court. In another case, the company has filed a writ petition where it has made the Director General of Civil Aviation, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and the Airport Authority of India respondents. Also, the company has filed a separate petition against the central government in the Delhi High Court. Celebi Aviation has been operating in India for over a decade, providing ground handling services at several airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Several reports suggest that the company handles around 70% of the ground operations at Mumbai airport, including passenger services, load control, flight operations, cargo and postal services, warehouses and bridge operations.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
HC halts Mumbai airport from hiring Celebi's replacement
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Monday granted interim relief to the Indian subsidiary of the Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi Aviation Holding by issuing directions to the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) to not take any decision in extending tenders to appoint a new company in its place. The temporary relief is to remain till the challenge against its security clearance revocation is heard before a regular bench after the vacation. The firm on May 22 had filed three petitions in the court, challenging the Indian government's revocation of its security clearance which resulted in the termination of its agreement at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). The petition urged the court to issue directions to restrain the airport authorities from appointing a new company in its place. The petition was filed days after the Adani Group-led MIAL, which operates CSMIA, terminated its agreement with Celebi and appointed the Kolkata-based firm Indo Thai Airport Services on a temporary basis for three months until it finalises a long-term partner. CSMIA was among several airports across the country that terminated their agreements with Celebi earlier this month. This was after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India's top aviation security regulator, revoked the Turkish firm's security clearance, effectively barring it from continuing its operations in Indian airports. The decision, according to BCAS, was taken in view of 'national interests'. While the official reasons were not detailed, the move follows heightened diplomatic tensions. Turkey recently backed Pakistan and condemned India's counter-terrorism strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack in April. In response to the revocation, Celebi's Indian subsidiary issued a statement distancing itself from political or national affiliations. 'We are not a Turkish organisation by any standard 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,' the company said. Celebi filed three separate lawsuits, two of which challenged MIAL's revocation of its contract on the grounds of security clearance. The third plea is filed against BCAS, which states that the agency's decision was procedurally erroneous. On May 16, Celebi had filed a similar petition in the Delhi high court, even as aviation officials said that airport operations nationwide continued without disruption as alternative arrangements were implemented. In its plea, the company said that BCAS's decision to revoke its clearance by merely citing national security, without specific justification, was 'vague' and 'unsustainable in law'. Celebi Aviation has had a significant presence in India's aviation sector. Since entering the Indian market via Mumbai Airport, the company has expanded to nine airports across the country. These include major hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Kannur, Goa, and Ahmedabad. The firm's Indian operations cover a wide range of services, including passenger assistance, flight operations, cargo handling, warehouse management and bridge operation services.
