Latest news with #Turkey-headquartered
Indian Express
4 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.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Bombay HC grants temporary relief to Turkish firm Celebi, restrains MIAL from taking final decision on bids
In a temporary relief to Turkey-headquartered airport ground handling services major Celebi, a vacation bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday restrained Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) from taking a final decision on tenders invited to replace Celebi's subsidiary till the matter is heard by the regular court. A single bench of Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan was hearing two applications by Celebi's subsidiary Celebi Nas Airport Services India, which operated at the Mumbai airport, filed under Section 9 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act against Adani group-owned MIAL seeking annulment of its termination of contracts with the petitioner. The pleas, through senior advocate Chetan Kapadia, also sought urgent interim measure to restrain MIAL to conclude the tenders issued on May 17 for selection of a new ground handling agency for the Mumbai airport. The parent company Celebi Hava Servisi holds 59% of the capital in Celebi Nas. Justice Sundaresan said the order will operate until the matter is heard by a regular bench in June after summer vacation. The firm has also filed a separate writ petition seeking suspension and annulment of the security clearance cancellation by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The Union of India, BCAS, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the regional office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) are made respondents in the matter. A division bench comprising two judges will hear the plea in due course. The BCAS, amidst the backlash over Turkey's support for Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, had earlier this month revoked with immediate effect security clearance of the Indian arm of the Celebi citing 'national security'. The revocation led to airports in India where Celebi group operated, terminating their contracts with the group companies, prompting the subsidiaries to approach the courts. The subsidiary of the Turkish firm had approached the Bombay High Court on May 21 after its other subsidiaries Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India had moved the Delhi High Court against the security clearance revocation and the resultant cancellation of Celebi contracts by the Delhi airport operator. The Delhi HC on Friday, May 23 reserved its order on the plea.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
After Delhi High Court, Celebi moves Bombay High Court against India security clearance revocation, airport contract cancellations
Turkey-headquartered airport ground handling services major Celebi has moved the Bombay High Court against the revocation of its security clearance by the Centre and the consequent termination of its contracts with Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), the operator of Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The lawsuits—three in total—have been filed by the Celebi's subsidiary Celebi Nas Airport Services India, which operated at the Mumbai airport. The lawsuits follow a case filed by two other Celebi subsidiaries–Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India–before the Delhi High Court against the security clearance revocation and the resultant cancellation of Celebi contracts by the Delhi airport operator. The matter is being heard by the Delhi High Court. 'Now, regarding our Mumbai operations; our subsidiary Celebi Nas Airport Services India Private Limited ('Celebi Nas') in which our Company holds 59% of the capital filed three different lawsuits before the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Mumbai on 21.05.2025,' parent company Celebi Hava Servisi said in a regulatory filing in Turkey on Thursday. The three cases include a lawsuit seeking the suspension and annulment of the security clearance cancellation by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and two arbitration applications against Adani group-owned MIAL seeking the annulment of its termination of contracts with Celebi Nas, and urgent interim measures to restrain MIAL to conclude the tenders for selection of new ground handling agency for the Mumbai airport. The first case has been filed against the Union of India, BCAS, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the regional office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). Amid the backlash in India over Turkey's support for Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, India's aviation security regulator BCAS last Thursday 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 where Celebi group operated terminating their contracts with group companies. Defending itself, Çelebi 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'. The airports and airlines that were working with Çelebi are turning to the other major ground handling players in India's aviation sector like AI Airport Services, Air India SATS Airport Services, and the Bird group. 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. India is a key market for Celebi. According to the company's regulatory filings, in its consolidated revenue of around $585 million in 2024, its five Indian arms—Celebi Airport Services India, Celebi GH India, Celebi Nas Airport Services India, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, and Celebi GS Chennai cumulatively accounted for a 33.8 per cent share, which comes out to over $195 million. Çelebi operated at nine Indian airports—Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Kannur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Goa (Mopa)—and its operations at these airports were distributed among the five subsidiaries, the biggest being Celebi Airport Services India that was operating at six Indian airports. 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 Çelebi. The company categorically rejected this claim. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
V-P Dhankhar says ‘can't help economies of nations against us,' as Turkiye, Azerbaijan face backlash
Amid calls to boycott trade and tourism with Turkiye and Azerbaijan for their support to Pakistan during the recent conflict with India and the government revoking the security clearance of an Indian arm of Turkey-headquartered airport ground handling major, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Saturday said that the country can no longer afford to strengthen the economies of nations inimical to India's interest. 'Every individual is empowered to help the nation in security. Trade, business, commerce, and industry in particular can play a pivotal role on security issues. Can we afford to empower countries that are inimical to our interests? Time has come when each one of us must deeply think about economic nationalism,' he said, speaking at the convocation of Jaipuria Institute of Management held at Bharat Mandapam here. This comes a day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Gujarat that the IMF should rethink the $1 billion financial assistance to Pakistan 'a big chunk of $1 billion coming from IMF will certainly be utilised to fund terror infrastructure'. 'Can this (funding from) IMF, which is an international organisation, not be considered an indirect funding?' he had said. Emphasising that one must keep in mind the principle of nation first, Dhankhar said: 'We no longer can afford, by travel or import, to improve the economies of those countries because of our participation. And those countries, in times of crisis, are positioned against us… Everything has to be reckoned on the fulcrum of deep commitment, unflinching commitment, dedication to nationalism because there is no other way out. And that mindset we must teach our toddlers right from day one.' Speaking of Operation Sindoor, he lauded the armed forces for doing 'justice' and said India had struck deep inside Pakistan to target terror bases. Dhankhar pointed to a recent trend of foreign universities setting up campuses in India and said that there should be 'filtration'. 'How can we countenance or overlook narratives that are anti-national? Foreign universities coming to this country is something which requires filtration. It requires deep thinking. It is something we have to be extremely careful about.' During the four-day military hostilities, the central government had said that preliminary reports indicate that Turkish-made drones were used by Pakistan. Following Operation Sindoor, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone on May 7 to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to convey his solidarity and he told Sharif, as per a statement from his office, that Turkey supported what he called Pakistan's 'calm and restrained policies' in the crisis. Azerbaijan, too, came out in support of Pakistan. Following a ceasefire understanding on May 10, calls intensified to cancel travel to Turkiye and Azerbaijan and ending MoUs and contracts with companies and organisations in the two countries. The Confederation of All-India Traders Friday announced a boycott of the two countries.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
After flagging Istanbul help to Pakistan, Delhi defers its envoy's acceptance
CITING 'scheduling' issues, the Ministry of External Affairs postponed indefinitely the Thursday event at Rashtrapati Bhavan where Turkish Ambassador-designate Ali Murat Ersoy was to present his Letter of Credence to the President of India. The Ambassador-designate of Thailand and High Commissioner-designate of Bangladesh were also scheduled to present their credentials at the event. A Letter of Credence is a formal document appointing a diplomat as Ambassador or High Commissioner to another sovereign state. The postponement comes the day the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India's aviation security regulator, revoked the security clearance of an Indian arm, Çelebi Airport Services India, of Turkey-headquartered airport ground handling major Çelebi Aviation Holding in the interest of 'national security' with immediate effect. On May 12, the government said it had taken note of Turkey's support to Pakistan before and during Operation Sindoor, including its diplomatic and defence assistance. A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said that India had already provided evidence to Turkey in this regard and expects Istanbul to look into its concerns on the issue. Sources said today's event was scheduled at 4 pm in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Turkish Ambassador-designate Ersoy was appointed this March. When contacted, officials at the Embassy of Turkey said personnel dealing with the matter were not immediately available to comment. An official of the Thai embassy in New Delhi said that they received a communication from the MEA conveying the postponement. 'The event was to take place at 4 this afternoon, but has been deferred. The communication did not give any reason. We are waiting for more clarity and a new schedule,' he said. Thai Ambassador-designate to India Chavanart Thangsumphant took charge in March. An official of the Bangladesh High Commission also confirmed receiving a communique from the MEA. 'We don't know why the event was cancelled at the last meeting and why no fresh date has been assigned,' he said. Bangladesh appointed Riaz Hamidullah as High Commissioner to India in February, but he arrived in New Delhi only in April. Most recently, President Droupadi Murmu accepted diplomatic credentials on February 27 when the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Panama, Guyana, Sudan, Denmark and Palestine presented their Letter of Credence during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Jay Mazoomdaar is an investigative reporter focused on offshore finance, equitable growth, natural resources management and biodiversity conservation. Over two decades, his work has been recognised by the International Press Institute, the Ramnath Goenka Foundation, the Commonwealth Press Union, the Prem Bhatia Memorial Trust, the Asian College of Journalism etc. Mazoomdaar's major investigations include the extirpation of tigers in Sariska, global offshore probes such as Panama Papers, Robert Vadra's land deals in Rajasthan, India's dubious forest cover data, Vyapam deaths in Madhya Pradesh, mega projects flouting clearance conditions, Nitin Gadkari's link to e-rickshaws, India shifting stand on ivory ban to fly in African cheetahs, the loss of indigenous cow breeds, the hydel rush in Arunachal Pradesh, land mafias inside Corbett, the JDY financial inclusion scheme, an iron ore heist in Odisha, highways expansion through the Kanha-Pench landscape etc. ... Read More
