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Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Shiv Sena opposes IndiGo's partnership with Turkish Airlines
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has demanded the scrapping of Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo's wet-lease contract with Turkish Airlines amid growing geopolitical tensions over Turkey's diplomatic and military ties with Pakistan following the recent conflict with India. A Shiv Sena delegation led by Andheri East MLA Murji Patel and vibhag pramukh (division head) Kunal Sarmalkar plans to go to IndiGo's Mumbai office on Friday to hand over a letter demanding the scrapping of the contract. 'IndiGo has taken aircraft on lease from Turkish Airlines,' said Patel. 'We are told that their crew operates these aircraft. We want this contract to be scrapped. If they don't listen, we will launch a protest. We are visiting their Mumbai office on Friday and giving them a letter [with the demands].' Sarmalkar said that the Shiv Sena doesn't want any Indian companies to have ties with Turkey, Bangladesh and Pakistan. 'Allowing Turkish people in India is a security risk as they supported our enemy, Pakistan. We have already forced all airports to terminate their contract with the [Turkish] ground-handling agency, Celebi, and made them give acontract to [Kolkata-based] Indo Thai Airport Services, and retained the jobs of all [Celebi] employees [in India],' he added. An IndiGo spokesperson did not respond to HT's request for a comment until the time of going to press. IndiGo uses Turkish Airlines aircraft, such as Boeing 777s, for connecting Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul. These aircraft are operated under a wet lease agreement, wherein Turkish Airlines provides the planes and crew. The Indian carrier also has a codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, through which IndiGo passengers can book flights to destinations in Europe and the United States. Earlier this week, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers had said that the airline is fully compliant with all regulatory frameworks governing its operations with aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines, adding that the decision to renew these leases lies with the Indian government.
India Gazette
15-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Centre revokes security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services citing national security concerns
New Delhi [India], May 15 (ANI): The Central government has revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground-handling company Celebi NAS Airport Services, citing national security concerns. Celebi handles about 70 per cent of ground operations at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, including passenger handling, load control, cargo services, postal services, warehouse management, and bridge operations. It also operates at multiple airports across India. The decision comes amid growing backlash after Turkiye extended support to Pakistan during heightened tensions with India. In an official order, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) stated: 'The security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd, under the category Ground Handling Agency was approved by DG, BCAS vide letter no. 15/99/2022-Delhi-BCAS/E-219110 dated 21.11.2022. In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security. This issues with the approval of DG, BCAS.' Earlier today, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) held a protest at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, demanding that airport authorities cut their ties with Celebi NAS Airport Services, a Turkish company. The protest was led by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel on Tuesday, who criticised Turkey for extending its support to Pakistan during the recent tensions with India. 'Under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, we will work to shut down all (Turkish) companies operating in Mumbai. Earning money from India and using it to help Pakistan is not going to work in Maharashtra,' Murji Patel said. Additionally, Shiv Sena youth leader Arjun Kandhari said that the protest is for our nation's security as they earn money from India and then 'terror fund' Pakistan. 'Today's movement is for our nation's security... It is a national security concern that a Turkish company, Celebi, operates at our Mumbai airport. We will not let a company from Turkey, a country that supports Pakistan, operate on Indian soil. They earn money here in India and then give terror funds to Pakistan,' Kandhari said. Earlier, yraders across India also decided to boycott Turkish products after the Ankara extended support to Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor to neutralise Islamabad terror infrastructure. Farmer organisations across Himachal Pradesh have also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose a complete ban on the import of apples from Turkey and enforce strict import duties and quality standards on apples coming from other countries. In Uttar Pradesh, fruits traders in Ghaziabad have also decided to boycott Turkish apples and other imports. India imports goods worth over Rs 1,200 crore from Turkey annually, including a significant share of fruits like apples. (ANI)
Mint
15-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Centre revokes security clearance of Turkish firm Çelebi Aviation amid India-Pakistan conflict
Centre on 15 May revoked the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Aviation, responsible for critical ground operations at major Indian airports. The decision comes amid growing demand of boycotting the firm headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, the country that sided with Pakistan in the recent escalation of tensions with India after the Pahalgam terror attack and 'Operation Sindoor'. India's Bureau of Civil Aviation Security informed through a notification about the 'revocation of security clearance in r/o Celebi airport services India Ltd,' which is a subsidary of Çelebi Aviation Holding, a Turkish company. Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) has demanded an immediate termination of a ground-handling company Çelebi's contract at Mumbai's international airport. Citing national security concerns over Turkey's alleged support for Pakistan in recent drone-related activities from across the border, Shiv Sena leader Murji Patel led a delegation to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), calling for an end to its association with Çelebi NAS Airport Services. The Sena has given Mumbai International Airport a 10-day deadline to cancel the contract, warning of protests if no action is taken. Patel said the party has already met with the airport's CEO, who has promised to review the matter and respond within the timeframe. The ultimatum comes at a time when social media is abuzz with boycott calls for travel to Turkiye. This, because, Turkiye and Azerbaijan are accused of providing military assistance to Pakistan as it tried to swarm the Indian air defence system after India struck terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) during Operation Sindoor on May 7. Çelebi has presence at 9 airports in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chennai. It provides ground handling as Çelebi Airport Services India and cargo services as Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India at Delhi. (This is a developing story. Check back for updates)
India Gazette
15-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Shiv Sena demands Mumbai airport end ties with Turkish company
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 15 (ANI): Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) held a protest at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, demanding that airport authorities cut their ties with Celebi NAS Airport Services, a Turkish company. The protest was led by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel on Tuesday, who criticised Turkey for extending its support to Pakistan during the recent tensions with India. 'Under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, we will work to shut down all (Turkish) companies operating in Mumbai. Earning money from India and using it to help Pakistan is not going to work in Maharashtra,' Murji Patel said. Patel stated that Shiv Sena will start a 'Ugr Andolan' if the airport authorities do not cut their ties with the Turkish firm. 'We have given them 10 days to take action. Otherwise, we will start the 'Ugr Andolan' at Mumbai Airport with 10,000 people.' Celebi 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. Additionally, Shiv Sena youth leader Arjun Kandhari said that the protest is for our nation's security as they earn money from India and then 'terror fund' Pakistan. 'Today's movement is for our nation's security... It is a national security concern that a Turkish company, Celebi, operates at our Mumbai airport. We will not let a company from Turkey, a country that supports Pakistan, operate on Indian soil. They earn money here in India and then give terror funds to Pakistan,' Kandhari said. 'We have asked the Chief Officer of the airport to conduct a critical evaluation of Celebi and terminate its operation within the next 10 days,' he added. Traders across India has also decided to boycott Turkish products after the Ankara extended support to Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor to neutralise Islamabad terror infrastructure. Farmer organisations across Himachal Pradesh have also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose a complete ban on the import of apples from Turkey and enforce strict import duties and quality standards on apples coming from other countries. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Modi, the Himalayan Apple Growers Society, the Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch and other farmer groups highlighted how the country's 'Vocal for Local' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' missions are being undermined by uncontrolled imports. 'Under your leadership, 'Vocal for Local' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' have instilled a new sense of self-reliance. However, the continued and increasing import of apples, particularly from Turkey, is pushing our mountain farmers into a deep economic crisis,' the letter reads. In Uttar Pradesh, fruits traders in Ghaziabad have also decided to boycott Turkish apples and other imports. Shadab Khan, a local fruit trader, has expressed strong opposition, stating that any country supporting Pakistan in acts against India will face a boycott. He added that traders'>fruit traders of Ghaziabad have ended all trade with Turkey and will never import anything from them in future. India imports goods worth over Rs 1,200 crore from Turkey annually, including a significant share of fruits like apples. (ANI)
Mint
15-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Turkish firm Çelebi gets Shiv Sena ultimatum to shut down operations amid India-Pakistan conflict. All you need to know
India-Pakistan Conflict: The Shiv Sena has demanded the immediate termination of a Turkish ground-handling company's contract at Mumbai's international airport. Citing national security concerns over Turkey's alleged support for Pakistan in recent drone-related activities from across the border, Shiv Sena leader Murji Patel led a delegation to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), calling for an end to its association with Celebi NAS Airport Services. 'Turkey may not be firing weapons directly, but supplying drones that are used to target our borders is no less than a hostile act,' Patel was quoted as saying in Mumbai earlier this week. The delegation has asked the Mumbai airport to stop the company's contract within 10 days. 'We cannot allow a country that supports our enemy to make money off Indian infrastructure.' The Sena has given MIAL a 10-day deadline to cancel the contract, warning of protests if no action is taken. According to Patel, the party has already met with the airport's CEO, who has promised to review the matter and respond within the timeframe. Social media is abuzz boycott calls for travel to Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Turkey provided military assistance to Pakistan as it tried to swarm the Indian air defence system after India struck terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) during Operation Sindoor on May 7 Headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey Çelebi Aviation is said to be handling around 70 per cent of ground operations at airports across the country. Çelebi continues to operate on 3 continents, in 6 countries and in 70 stations worldwide. Çelebi stepped into the aviation industry with the establishment of Çelebi Ground Handling in 1958 as Turkey's first privately-owned ground handling services company, the wesbite reads. Today, it stands out as one of the most successful examples of integrated services in the Turkish Civil Aviation industry offering ramp, passenger, cargo handling, warehouse management, bridge operations, airport lounge management and premium services. The company entered India in 2008 and has since expanded rapidly. Çelebi's first step into India started off with a joint venture with a mandate to provide comprehensive and world class services at Mumbai International Airport. According Sanjay Lazar, an aviation consultant, Celebi was granted security clearance, t the peak of post 26-11 events, when the UPA government was in power. Many Aviation trade unions affiliated to the Shiv Sena under late Balasaheb Thackeray, he said, had vigorously opposed the entry of Celebi Nas as ground handlers at airports across India, being sensitive in nature. "We even had morchas etc, at CSMIA back then. Since then, whenever the issue has surfaced due to India-Turkey problems, they have tried to cover up their Turkish ownership, by talking about the parent being owned by Private Equity companies,' he said in a post on X. In India, the company handles 58,000 fights, 5,40,000 tons of cargo and has about 7,800 employees, the website says. 'From passenger services and load control from flight operations to ramp services, the company handles general aviation services, cargo and postal services, warehouses and bridge operation from end-to-end,' a Mumbai airport official said. Today, Çelebi has presence at 9 airports in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chennai. It provides ground handling as Çelebi Airport Services India and cargo services as Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India at Delhi. 'I think Indigo is the only airline that has its own ground staff. The airlines may be in talks with the company. It cannot happen overnight given the huge presence that the company has. Yes, there is national sentiment, but it takes time,' the official said. LiveMint's query to Celibi Aviation have not been responded to yet. This story will be updated when a response is received We cannot allow a country that supports our enemy to make money off Indian infrastructure.
