New Delhi – Amid growing diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey following Ankara’s support for Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan stand-off, serious concerns have emerged regarding the presence of Turkish companies in strategic sectors in India. At the heart of the latest controversy is Celebi Aviation, a Turkish multinational firm that plays a key role in high-security airport operations across India.
Public sentiment has turned sharply against Turkey after reports surfaced that the nation supplied drones to Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike for the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22. Despite an agreement between India and Pakistan to cease hostilities at the border, Indian citizens have taken to social media, calling for a boycott of Turkish goods and travel.
The spotlight is now on Celebi Aviation, which is responsible for sensitive and critical functions at several of India’s busiest airports.
Founded in 1958, Celebi Aviation Holding is Turkey’s first privately-owned ground handling company. Over the decades, it has transformed into a global aviation services provider operating in six countries across three continents. With over 15,000 employees worldwide and operations at 70 international stations, the company’s services include:
Passenger and cargo ground handling
Aircraft ramp services
Warehouse and cargo terminal management
Jet bridge operations
VIP lounge management
General aviation services
Celebi entered the Indian aviation sector with a focus on delivering world-class ground handling and cargo services. The company has since established two major subsidiaries:
Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. – Manages ground handling operations across major Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kochi.
Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd. – Oversees cargo services at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
These operations involve handling aircraft, managing sensitive cargo, coordinating airport security logistics, and operating vital airport infrastructure.
Given Celebi’s deep integration into India’s airport infrastructure
