Background
An year after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of the Turkish Celebi company in the aftermath of Turkiye’s support to Pakistan during Op Sindoor in May 2025, Canan Celebioglu-the chairperson of the company has described it as the most unfortunate blow to its existence, stating that the Indian decision to suspend its airport logistics services has brutally wiped out nearly $550 Million business value overnight[1].
To me it emerges directly from the changing dynamics of India-Turkiye relationship as it shaped over the years. The India-Turkiye ties in the post-independence era beginning in 1948 were marked by the visits of the Indian leaders including Prime Minister Nehru in 1960 followed by the President Zakir Hussain in 1965, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988, and the Indian President Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1993. There have also been inward visits to India by the Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Ozal in 1986, Turkish President General Kenan Evren in 1989 and so on. The relations between India and Turkiye were cordial althrough and even in the 1920s the relations between the two nations were based on mutual gains and trust.
The India Turkiye trade India-Türkiye trade, exceeded the US$ 10 billion mark in 2021-22. With the Hon’ble Indian PM meeting the Turkiye President Erdoğan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Samarkand on 16 September 2022, both the countries agreed to making efforts for enhancing the volume of bilateral trade to US$ 20 billion. Some of the Indian companies invested about USD 126 million in Türkiye and Turkish investment in India is about USD 210.47 million. In the year 2022-23 the total trade volume touched the 13,881.51 million US Dollars (MUSD).
On the soft power front, there are around 3000 Indian nationals staying In Turkiye working mainly in the commercial organisations, banks, computer firms and universities excluding around 200 Indian students pursuing various academic courses there[2]. This apart, the 2023 Indian assistance during Operation Dost in the wake of devastating earthquakes in Turkiye wherein India launched a swift humanitarian mission under the Indian Armed Forces and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
In this operation, India had deployed its aircraft loaded with relief materials, specialized teams for search and rescue and medical personnel to help in the emergency relief efforts, amidst critical times of the Turkiye and its citizens.
Operation Sindoor and After
Operation Sindoor commencing May 07, 2025 was undertaken by India to serve befitting justice to Pakistan-the main perpetrator of terror involved in the brutal killing of innocent Indian citizens in J&K on April 22, 2025. Thereafter Turkiye has been found not only morally supporting its close ally Pakistan at the international stage, but also in terms of equipping it with weaponry and other necessary support to fight against India.
But regardless of the long Indo-Turkiye relations and India having extended all possible help to Turkiye in difficult times, Turkiye was found helping India’s proclaimed adversary Pakistan during Operation Sindoor not only internationally but also by means of providing weaponry to fight against India.[3].
This act of Turkiye supporting Pakistan is considered to be an open betrayal by Turkiye which hurt the sentiments of every Indian and led to a recent Track-2 reproach starting with the tourism and travel offensive by India. The strong remarks of the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi i.e. “Terror and talks cannot coexist, Terror and trade cannot go together, Terror and tourism cannot go together” resulted into strong rebuttal not only of Pakistan but also of Turkiye.
While the Indian armed forces launched professionally perfect military strikes against terror outfits using mainly the made in India weaponry, the initiative to inflict the economic chastisements on Pakistan and it’s ally Turkiye was exhibited by the Indian logistics ecosystem e.g. the known Indian travel platforms like EaseMyTrip and Cox & Kings by way of cancelling the travel and stay bookings, and with even the Indian fruit sellers around the country boycotting the fruits of Turkish origin.
Impact on Logistics Services Across Indian Airports
The punitive action was followed by India also against the Turkish origin Celebi Aviation, a company actively involved in the ground handling and cargo logistics in the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) New Delhi, alongwith its associated companies in the aftermath of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) having revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services in view of the national security concerns beyond May 19, 2025, not to mention the reason of Sumeyye, Turkish president Erdogan’s daughter being a part owner in the company, which the Celebi has refuted.
While action has been taken by the BCAS against the Celebi Aviation Company, the Government of India stands committed to safeguard the interests of the Indian employees of the company by trying to retain these employees. To avoid the breakdown of the logistics services being provided by the Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo terminal management services at the IGIA, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has started working closely with its partners Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS) and Bird Group to avoid disruption in the logistics services at the IGIA. In addition to IGIA Delhi, another airport management major Adani Airport Holdings operating at the airports of Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Guwahati, Jaipur, Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram, terminated the Ground Handling Concessional Agreements with Celebi for Mumbai and Ahmedabad Airports.
This apart, the suspension of Celebi Aviation’s ground handling and logistics operations at major Indian airports marks a significant disruption in the nation’s aviation and logistics ecosystem. This decision, stemming from national security concerns can be seen to have far-reaching implications-in the short as well as long term.
Short Term Implication of Suspension of Celebi’s Logistics operations
As the Celebi Aviation has till now been a pivotal player in ground handling and cargo operations at major Indian airports i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad, the abrupt termination of its services at the major airports may lead to immediate operational and logistical tests. To effectively tackle this, the airlines and cargo operators need to swiftly identify the alternative service providers present in the country to manage the enormous ground handling tasks e.g. baggage handling, aircraft servicing and cargo logistics.
Apart from this, with approximately 7,800 employees currently under Celebi’s employment, the suspension of services raises serious concerns about job security of the Indian citizens. The sudden loss of employment for a significant number of workers might lead to avoidable socio-economic repercussions, multiplied by already increased unemployment and resultant unrest.
In addition, Celebi’s operations cover handling humongous tonnage of cargo. The sudden suspension of services may disrupt the seamless flow of goods, especially time-sensitive shipments like pharmaceuticals and perishables, besides possibly leading to delays, increased costs and potential spoilage of goods, affecting both domestic and international trade.
Long Term Implication of Suspension of Celebi’s Logistics operations
The revocation of Celebi’s security clearance may potentially deter the foreign investments in India’s aviation sector whereby the investors might become hesitant in committing capital to Indian aviation ventures in the long run.
Apart from this, the Indian ground handling companies may face challenges in scaling their operations upwards so as to absorb the sudden resultant upsurge in demand. Without adequate infrastructure, ready availability of trained personnel and the enabling technological support, the quality of ground handling services might decline, impacting the overall airport efficiency.
Way Forward
The MoCA should facilitate the immediate onboarding of alternate ground handling service providers to ensure uninterrupted operations at affected airports.
The MoCA should also consider ways and means to rehabilitate the displaced workers of the Celebi company through adequate retention strategies and temporary employment opportunities in alternate avenues within the services sector, to mitigate the likely adverse socio-economic impact.
India should also consider encouraging the emerging domestic companies to invest in the state-of-the-art ground handling equipment and material handling facilities to enhance the efficiency and capacity.
The renowned specialised institutions like Indian Institutes of Management, Indian Institute of Materials Management, Management Development Institute, universities and institutions offering specialised courses in the logistics management may consider formulating and introducing comprehensive training programs to create an ecosystem of transportation & logistics efficiency with ready availability of a pool of trained ground handling personnel to ensure continued presence of a skilled workforce trained through international standards and capable of meeting national emergencies arising in course of such hard decisions that may be taken in the broad national interest, as and when the nation is fraught with grave danger to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The government may also consider streamlining the regulatory processes to facilitate the entry and operation by domestic and foreign ground handling companies, thereby promoting healthy competition and suitable alternatives.
The government may also offer incentives to the companies having capability in terms of technological solutions of automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) in ground handling operations to improve the efficiency, foster speed and reduce human error.
Fostering collaborations between the government and private sector players and start-ups may also be helpful to develop integrated logistics solutions, combining strengths in infrastructure, technology and expertise. An effort can be made towards enhancing the ground handling capability of the Indian airports with support of the specialised international bodies like the Aviation Services Association (ASA) located in Brussels Belgium so as to arm the Indian services sector through active dialogue between the stakeholders i.e. MoCA India and ASA.
Above all, it is important to maintain transparency with the public regarding the reasons for the suspension and the steps being taken to ensure alternatives to ensure continued service, thereby managing public perception. This becomes imperative especially by using social media constructively to educate the masses and prevent misinformation, which sometimes leads to misinformation campaign at the hands of some disgruntled elements during the national emergencies.
Concluding Comments
The suspension of Celebi Aviation’s ground handling services presents immediate operational challenges and long-term implications for India’s aviation and logistics sectors. However, with proactive measures involving government intervention, strengthening domestic capabilities, policy reforms, industry collaboration and active diplomatic engagements, India can navigate this temporary logistical disruption effectively. By investing in infrastructure, technology and human capital, the nation can build a resilient ground handling ecosystem capable of facing the future contingencies and mitigating similar challenges in the future. While the BCAS decision towards suspension of services is likely to create logistical hardships in terms of passenger and cargo handling at the major airports like Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, we are convinced that no hardship whatsoever can stand above national security. Therefore, notwithstanding any apprehension, we must have confidence in the logistics companies and the Government of India who have assured smooth continuity of logistics operations at all the airports including efforts aimed at retaining the workforce of Celebi.
[1] “’Lost $500 million business overnight’: Turkish tycoon recalls India ban after Operation Sindoor”, Money Control.com, June 16, 2026, https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/lost-500-million-business-overnight-turkish-tycoon-recalls-india-ban-after-operation-sindoor-13950858.html , Accessed on June 17, 2026
[2] “India-Turkiye Relations”, MEA Central Europe Brief, August 19, 2023, https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/19_-08-_2023_Websits_India_-_Turkiye_Relations__1_.pdf, Accessed on June 16, 2026
[3] Sushim Mukul, “Indians launch Track-II offensive as Turkey repays Op Dost with drones”, India Today, May 15, 2025, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/boycott-turkey-azerbaijan-india-make-my-trip-business-trade-boycott-ankara-supported-pakistan-drone-personnel-2724723-2025-05-15, Accessed on June 16, 2026
