Centre Revokes Security Clearance of Turkish Firm Over Aviation Security Concerns

In the afternoon of 15 May, security cancellation was given to Celebi Aviation of Turkey, a firm charged with the conduct of ground operations at airports of national importance in India.

And while that decision became the center of attention, hence the demand for boycotting the firm headquartered in the city of Istanbul, Turkey-which stood with Pakistan in the recent escalation of tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack and 'Operation Sindoor.'

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Informed was India, saying, through a notification, of the 'revocation of security clearance in r/o Celebi airport services India Ltd,' a subsidiary of Çelebi Aviation Holding, Turkey.

Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena has demanded the immediate cancellation of Çelebi's contract for ground-handling at Mumbai international airport. Due to national security concerns pertaining to Turkey purportedly backing Pakistan's recent cross-border drone-induced activities, Siyaram Murji Patel, a Shiv Sena leader, headed the delegation to Mumbai International Airport Limited(MIAL) calling for the cessation of association with Çelebi NAS Airport Services.

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The Sena issued a 10-day ultimatum to Mumbai International Airport to cancel the contract or face protests. According to Patel, the party leaders have met the airport CEO and were assured that the matter will be looked into with a reply within the given period.

The ultimatum comes amidst a social media uproar for calls to boycott travel to Turkey, this being due to Turkey and Azerbaijan allegedly providing military assistance to Pakistan as it attempted to swarm the Indian air defense system post the Indian strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) during May 7 since Operation Sindoor.

Çelebi has presence at 9 airports in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chennai. Ground handling is provided by Çelebi Airport Services India at Delhi, and cargo services are provided by Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India.

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