Latest news with #SumeyyeErdogan
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Turkish firm Celebi's arbitration application rejected in India
New Delhi: Celebi Ground Handling India's arbitration application for interim measures against Ahmedabad International Airport over the cancellation of security permits has been dismissed, according to an exchange filing by the Turkish firm's parent company. "The arbitration application filed by our company, Celebi Ground Handling India Pvt Ltd, in which our company owns 61 per cent of the capital, against Adani Ahmedabad International Airport Limited in the Ahmedabad Commercial Court on 27.05.2025, seeking interim measures due to the cancellation of security clearances by the Civil Aviation Security Bureau in relation to its operations at Ahmedabad International Airport, was rejected on 02.06.2025," the company stated. The company said it would appeal to the Supreme Court on the issue. The Indian government has revoked the security clearance for Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi Airport Services at Indian airports, in the wake of Turkey's support to Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attacks and Operation Sindoor launched by India to avenge the killings of 26 tourists. In a notification, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, 'In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security.' The Turkish company handles around 70 per cent of the ground operations at Mumbai airport, including passenger services, load control, flight operations, cargo and postal services, warehouses and bridge operations. Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, also stated that there were requests from across India to ban Celebi NAS Airport Services India Ltd. 'Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, we have taken cognizance of these requests and Ministry of Civil Aviation has revoked security clearance of the said company. Ensuring the safety and interests of the nation remains our top priority,' the minister posted. Since its entry in 2008, Celebi has expanded its presence in India's aviation sector. As per reports, the firm is partly owned by Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of Tayyip Erdogan. Sumeyye Erdogan is married to Selcuk Bayraktar, the man who produces Bayraktar military drones, which Pakistan used against India. This suggests that support to Pakistan is not just a matter of Turkish state policy, but one in which Erdogan's own family is directly involved, according to reports.
India Today
15-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Erdogan's daughter not owner, we are not Turkish: Aviation firm on losing clearance
Celebi Aviation India on Wednesday dismissed "false and misleading" allegations about its Turkish ownership and operations after the firm's security clearance was revoked by Indian authorities. The development comes following a backlash over Turkey supporting Pakistan during tensions with a swirl of online claims suggesting links to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's family, the company issued an official statement, insisting it is neither politically affiliated nor Turkish-owned. In a statement, the ground handling major said it was "unequivocally refuting" speculation on social media regarding the company's control, and clarified that it has no connection to Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of the Turkish is no one named Sumeyye owning any shareholding in the parent organisation. The company's ownership is limited to members of the Celebioglu family — Can Celebioglu and Ms Canan Celebioglu — who have no political affiliation. We are a professionally governed, globally operated aviation services company," the statement said. "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," it to the company, 65 per cent of its parent firm is owned by institutional investors based in Canada, the US, UK, Singapore, UAE, and Western Europe. A Jersey-registered fund, Actera Partners II L.P., holds a 50 per cent stake in Celebi Havaclk Holding A.S., while 15 per cent is held by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch clarification came after Celebi's clearance to operate at Delhi Airport's cargo terminal was revoked over national security concerns. Responding to this, Celebi said, "All our facilities are routinely audited by Indian authorities, including the CISF, BCAS, and AAI. We remain in full compliance with Indian aviation, national security, and tax regulations"."Celebi remains fully committed to India and to contributing meaningfully to the country's progress as a global aviation hub. We are confident that facts, transparency, and common sense will prevail over misinformation," the company crackdown on Celevi Aviation came after India's relations with Turkey came under strain as Ankara backed Islamabad and condemned Indian armed forces' Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd with immediate Aviation oversees high-security ground and cargo operations at nine major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Its responsibilities span ground handling, cargo movement, and airside services — all critical functions tightly regulated due to the sensitive nature of airport zones.
News18
15-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Turkey Firm Handling High-Security Tasks At 9 Indian Airports Under Govt Lens
Last Updated: 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.
