SOURCE : NEW18 NEWS
Last Updated:May 16, 2025, 19:26 IST
Aviation watchog BCAS had revoked the permit of Turkey-based Celebi citing national security concerns. It has now handed over the ground handling job at the airport to Indothai.
Indothai gets Mumbai airport ground handling job (PTI File Image)
A day after the cancellation of the permit of Turkey-based Celebi, a provider of airport ground handling in India, aviation watchdog BCAS on Friday signed an agreement with Indian firm Indothai to take over the staff and assets at the Mumbai Airport.
According to reports, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has nodded Indothai to operate the ground handling at the Mumbai Airport.
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BCAS on Thursday revoked the security clearance of Çelebi Ground Handling India Pvt Ltd – which operated under the umbrella of Turkey’s Çelebi Aviation Holding at major Indian airports – “in the interest of national security” with immediate effect.
The revocation of Celebi’s permit comes amid boycott calls for Turkey, which picked up pace in India after Ankara backed Islamabad during Operation Sindoor – anti-terror strikes against terrorist camps carried out by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Turkey also provided Pakistan with a large number of drones during the May 7 to May 10 conflict, which was used against India.
According to reports, after the agreement with Indothai, the Indian company, nearly 3,000 Celebi employees at the Mumbai Airport will be transferred to Indothai’s payroll.
These employees will be issued new airport entry permits under Indothai’s name.
Cochin Airport Discontinues Celebi Services
Complying to the BCAS order in regards to national security, Cochin International Airport Ltd. said in a statement that it has formally discontinued the ground handling services of celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd starting yesterday.
“Despite the transition, all operations at CIAL remained fully functional and disruption-free. Our teams, in coordination with alternative authorized service providers, ensured uninterrupted performance across all areas,” it said.
“Looking ahead, CIAL is making long-term arrangements to keep airport operations smooth and efficient. All necessary steps are being taken to uphold operational continuity while meeting national regulatory requirements,” the statement added.
Celebi Sues India Over Clearance Pullback
Celebi has moved the Delhi High Court against the BCAS decision, stating that detailed reasoning was not given by the body in its diktat.
It also claimed that “vague” national security concerns were cited without reasoning.
Celebi asked the High Court to set aside the decision, arguing that it would impact 3,791 jobs and investor confidence. It also claimed that the order was issued without any warning to the company.
“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 matter is likely to be heard on Monday.
- First Published:
May 16, 2025, 19:09 IST
