Latest news with #Turkish-founded
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
DGCA cuts short Indigo's Turkish aircraft lease pact
India's aviation regulator granted IndiGo only a three-month extension to operate two Turkish Airlines aircraft under a damp lease arrangement, instead of the six it sought, amid close scrutiny of Turkish companies following Ankara's military support to Pakistan during the recent conflict. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced on Friday that it extended the lease of two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft until August 31, but made clear this would be the final extension. 'In order to avoid passenger inconvenience due to immediate flight disruption, Indigo has been granted a one-time last and final extension of three months,' the DGCA said in a statement, adding that the airline must terminate the arrangement within this period and 'shall not seek any further extension.' In the aftermath of Turkey's support to Pakistan, India revoked the security clearance of Turkish-founded ground handling firm Celebi Aviation, citing national security concerns, affecting operations at nine major airports. Celebi has sued the government and a decision is pending in the Delhi high court. IndiGo had requested a six-month extension for the aircraft, which were originally leased until May 31, but regulators granted only half that period. The airline leased these planes in November last year under a damp lease arrangement, where Turkish Airlines provides the aircraft and flight crew while IndiGo supplies cabin crew and handles other operational aspects. HT reached out to IndiGo for a response but did not get one as of going to print. Earlier, IndiGo's chief executive spoke on the company's Turkey-related operations, though did not specifically mention the issue of the jets. 'Flights between India and Türkiye are governed within the bilateral air service agreement. We are compliant today and we will continue to comply with any government regulations,' said Pieter Elbers, IndiGo's chief executive officer, speaking ahead of the International Air Transport Association summit in India. The damp lease arrangement has allowed IndiGo to operate wide-body aircraft for international routes without immediately training its own pilots on the Boeing 777-300ER type. Elbers separately announced that IndiGo plans to launch direct flights to eight new international destinations within the current financial year, including four to Central Asia. The airline has faced operational constraints due to Pakistan's closure of its airspace to Indian carriers in April, forcing IndiGo to temporarily suspend operations to Tashkent and Almaty due to extended flight times and operational costs. When asked about operations to Central Asia given the airspace restrictions, Elbers said the airline was evaluating departure cities within India.
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Ask Pakistan to end support to terrorism
New Delhi: India on Thursday said that it expects Turkey to 'strongly urge' Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take action against the terrorist ecosystem. 'We expect Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take credible and verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has harboured for decades,' Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. 'Relations are built based on sensitivities to each other's concerns,' he added. On a question about the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security revoking the security clearance of Turkish-founded Çelebi Aviation Pvt Ltd, which handles ground-based services at 9 airports, Jaiswal said that the issue has been discussed with the Turkish Embassy in India. "Celebi matter has been discussed with the Turkish Embassy here. But I understand that this decision was taken by the Civil Aviation Security..." he said. The remarks come amid a strained relationship between India and Turkey, triggered by the latter's remark condemning India's strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan also used Turkish drones on a large scale during the military conflict with India. During Thursday's briefing, Jaiswal also spoke about the call between national security advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on May 10. 'Our NSA and the Chinese Foreign Minister and Special Representative on Boundary Issue Wang Yi had spoken to each other on 10th May 2025, when NSA conveyed India's resolute stance against cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan,' Jaiswal said.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Centre defends cancelling Celebi security clearance in HC, says had ‘inputs'
NEW DELHI: The Centre's decision to revoke the security clearance granted to Turkish-founded ground-handling firmCelebi Airport Services was taken following 'inputs' received by the government that it would be 'hazardous' to allow the firm to continue operations at airports, the union government told the Delhi high court on Monday. The government's stand came in the course of a hearing by justice Sachin Datta on Celebi's petition challenging the order issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on May 15. Çelebi, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, told the high court that the company had been carrying out operations without any blemish for 17 years and the decision was taken based on a public perception that the company's shareholding consisted of Turkish nationals. Rohatgi said that public perception could not be a ground to take away the employment of 14,000 employees and Celebi was not a 'rogue company.' Solicitor general Tushar Mehta contested the claim. 'The government had inputs, and it was found necessary that it would be hazardous in this scenario in which the country is, to leave this activity in the hands of this company,' Mehta said, handing over a document to the single bench in sealed cover. Mehta said the disclosure of reasons behind the BCAS order would be counter productive and prejudicial to national interest, sovereignty and security Following Mehta's submission, justice Datta perused the 'inputs' that were presented to court in a sealed cover. The court posted the matter for further hearing on May 21. In its plea, the company said the BCAS decision to revoke its clearance by merely citing national security, without specific justification, was 'vague' and 'unsustainable in law.' Till last week, Celebi provided ground-based services at nine airports across India – Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Kannur, Chennai, and the MOPA airport in Goa. The petition claimed BCAS's order failed to disclose how Celebi posed a threat to national security. 'Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat to national security is unsustainable in law,' the company said in the filing, Reuters reported The revocation of the security clearance follows mounting tensions between India and Turkey over the latter's diplomatic and military ties with Pakistan. The development triggered a scramble at the nine airports in which the firm operated, including Delhi and Mumbai, to ensure services were not disrupted.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Celebi moves HC after govt revokes clearance
Turkish-founded ground-handling firm Celebi Airport Services India on Friday challenged the revocation of it security clearance in the Delhi High court even as aviation officials said airport operations nationwide continued without disruption as alternative arrangements were implemented. In its plea, expected to be heard on Monday, the company said the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security's (BCAS's) decision on Thursday to revoke its clearance by merely citing national security, without specific justification, was 'vague' and 'unsustainable in law.' The petition claimed BCAS's order failed to disclose how Celebi posed a threat to national security and that it would impact 3,791 jobs and investor confidence. 'Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat to national security is unsustainable in law,' the company said in the filing, Reuters reported. Also Read | Why Turkish firm Celebi aviation's licence was revoked by India The revocation of the security clearance follows mounting tensions between India and Turkey over the latter's diplomatic and military ties with Pakistan. The development triggered a scramble at the nine airports in which the firm operated, including Delhi and Mumbai, to ensure services were not disrupted. 'There have been no disruption in any of the nine airports where Celebi companies were involved in ground handling,' a person aware of the matter said, asking not to be named. In Delhi, a second official aware of the matter, said that Celebi's personnel were managed by two other ground handling companies as part of an ad-hoc arrangement facilitated. 'Airport entry passes of Celebi personnel were swiftly updated, allowing for the smooth continuation of flight operations,' said this person. Also Read | Lovely Professional University suspends MoUs with Türkiye and Azerbaijan An aviation ministry official said that around 3,000 Çelebi staff at Delhi airport alone had been temporarily reassigned to the supervision ofother ground-handling agencies. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which manages India's busiest airport, said it is coordinating with AISATS and the Bird Group — the two remaining ground handling companies at the airport -- to maintain operations. The arrangement is a temporary measure since the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulation mandates the presence of three independent ground handlers at airports handling over 10 million passengers annually, said a third official. ' DIAL is in the process of onboarding a third handler,' an airport official confirmed. 'The appointment of a third ground handler will follow due process. Until then, existing handlers will operate in a nonprofit, support-only capacity to ensure service continuity and regulatory compliance,' the ministry official added. In Mumbai the airport operators roped in a new company — Indo Thai Airport Services, a certified ground handler currently operating at nine airports across India, the ministry official added. Confirming the move, a Mumbai airport spokesperson said: 'Within the next three days, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) will initiate the Request for Proposal (RFP) process to onboard a long-term ground-handling partner, to be finalised within three months.' Bangalore airport too confirmed in a Friday morning statement that Celebi personnel were being managed by existing service providers as a temporary measure. It was not clear what employment terms existed for these people. A ministry official did not respond to requests for a comment on this. Celebi Aviation Holding, the parent group, did not respond to requests for a comment. Several foreign airlines approached alternative ground handlers on Friday. A third official familiar with the development said that Cathay Pacific, for instance, tied up with Air India SATS to manage their ground services. Celebi provided ground-based services at nine airports across India – Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Kannur, Chennai, and the MOPA airport in Goa. Its services include passenger handling, baggage processing, aircraft loading, cargo management, and ramp services. The company also runs one of Delhi airport's two cargo terminals as a joint venture with the airport operator. In a statement on Thursday, the company denied 'misleading and factually incorrect allegations' about its ownership structure, claiming it is majority-owned (65%) by international institutional investors from Canada, the US, the UK, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Western Europe. The Shiv Sena, a coalition partner in the Maharashtra government, had earlier demanded that Mumbai airport cut ties with Celebi amid the diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Airport ops firm Celebi moves court over BCAS order to revoke security clearance
NEW DELHI: Turkish-founded Çelebi Airport Services Pvt Ltd, which provided ground handling and cargo services at nine airports, on Friday approached the Delhi high court against the decision of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to cancel its security clearance. In its plea, the company said BCAS's decision only cited national security without offering any reason why the firm was a threat to India's national security and that the order was 'vague' and 'unsustainable in law'. The petition is expected to be taken up by the high court on Monday. The plea comes a day after BCAS issued an order cancelling the security clearance granted to the company in 2022. '... the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security,' BCAS said in an order amid mounting tensions between India and Turkey over the latter's diplomatic and military ties to Pakistan. The company handled ground-based services at 9 airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Kannur, Chennai, and the MOPA airport in Goa. It also runs one of Delhi airport's two cargo terminals. Its petition said the decision was taken without any warning and would adversely impact its employees as well as investor confidence in the firm. Besides, it said the company had undergone background checks and security verifications by security and intelligence agencies before commencement of its operations. Following the BCAS order, the companies contracted to run the airports where Celebi was operating started terminating its arrangement with the company for providing ground handling and cargo services. They also promised to ensure that the firm's employees would be accommodated in line with civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu's assurance on Thursday. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd were overseeing ground handling and cargo terminal functions, respectively. DIAL also said all employees on the rolls of Celebi entities for cargo and ground handling services at IGI Airport will be transitioned to the new employer(s) with immediate effect and will continue under their existing terms and conditions of employment. Adani Airport Holding, which owns and operates the Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports, as well as the Mangalore, Guwahati, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Thiruvananthapuram airports, said it had also terminated the ground handling agreements with Celebi at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). 'Accordingly, Celebi has been directed to immediately hand over to us all ground handling facilities to ensure uninterrupted operations,' a spokesperson for Adani Airport Holdings said in a statement. 'All existing employees of Celebi at CSMIA and SVPIA will be transferred to the new ground handling agencies on their existing terms and conditions of employment,' the company said.
