India Cancels Security Clearance of Turkey-Based Celebi Airport Services Over National Security Concerns

In a major action against Turkey, which had announced open support for Pakistan during its conflict with India, New Delhi on Thursday cancelled the security clearance of Turkey-based company Celebi Aviation.

According to reports, Celebi Airport Services provides ground handling services at eight airports in India.

Bureau of Civil Aviation Security revokes security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd with immediate effect in the "interest of national security" pic.twitter.com/A4YGBtUQcc

— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2025

The government has cited "interest of national security" as the reason behind the move.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), in an order dated May 15, stated, "The security clearance in respect of 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 powers conferred upon the DG, BCAS, the security clearance in respect of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security," the order further stated.

Amid growing call for "boycott Turkey" in India after Operation Sindoor, India's top educational institutes Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia and Maulana Azad National Urdu University have now suspended its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with any institution that is affiliated with Turkey.

The decision to suspend the MoU came against the backdrop of tensions between India and Pakistan.