Çelebi denies political links after India revokes security clearance over national security concerns

“We remain in full compliance with Indian aviation, national security, and tax regulations,” it added.

Turkish-origin ground handling firm Çelebi Aviation India has strongly denied allegations of political affiliations or ownership links with the Turkish government, after India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked its security clearance citing national security concerns.

“Çelebi Aviation India unequivocally refutes all misleading and factually incorrect allegations circulating on social media regarding the company’s ownership and operations in India,” the company said in an official statement. It added that the organisation is “majority-owned (65 percent) by international institutional investors” from countries including Canada, the US, UK, Singapore, UAE, and Western Europe.

It added that Actera Partners II L.P., a Jersey-registered fund holds 50 percent ownership in Çelebi Havacılık Holding A.Ş. Another 15 percent is held by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch-registered entity.

The aviation security regulator’s decision, announced on May 15, was taken “in the interest of national security,” according to a notification issued by the BCAS.

“In exercise of powers conferred upon the DG, BCAS, the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect,” the circular stated.

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The action comes amid increasing scrutiny of the company's operations in India following the discovery of Turkish-origin UAV components during the India–Pakistan border escalation under Operation Sindoor. Government said there was “concrete evidence of hostile technologies” being used by Pakistan, allegedly sourced from foreign entities.

In its rebuttal, Çelebi said its Indian subsidiary is a “professionally governed, globally operated aviation services company” with no political affiliations. It specifically rejected claims that Sümeyye Erdoğan, daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has any stake in the parent company.

“There is no one named Sümeyye owning any shareholding in the parent organisation,” the statement clarified, adding that the only Turkish shareholders are Can Çelebioğlu and Canan Çelebioğlu, each holding 17.5 percent, with no political affiliations.

Çelebi, which has been operating in India for over 15 years, provides ground handling and cargo services at nine major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, covering roughly 65 percent of India’s aviation traffic. It services major carriers like Air India (international operations at Mumbai), SpiceJet, and FLY91, and manages over 58,000 flights annually.

“We directly employ over 10,000 Indians, supporting the livelihood of thousands of families, and have contributed more than $ 220 million in long-term infrastructure investments,” the company said.

Çelebi also dismissed social media claims about security lapses at the Delhi cargo terminal, stating that all its facilities are regularly audited by Indian authorities such as the CISF, BCAS, and AAI.

“We remain in full compliance with Indian aviation, national security, and tax regulations,” it added.

Murali Ramachandran, President India & Southeast Asia, Celebi Aviation, had in an interview told Moneycontrol that the company is majority owned by private equity now.

"Our parent has its head office in Turkey. That's where the Celebi business has its genesis. That's where the promoter has built the business. But the business is majority owned by private equity now. The majority shareholder of Celebi is a private equity company with investment funds which are predominantly blue-chip Canadian, American, Singapore, and UAE investment vehicles," Ramachandran had said.

Ramachandran had also told Moneycontrol in an another interview that the company was mulling to invest around $80 million in India till 2027.

"Celebi has already invested around $250 million (since its entry into the Indian market in 2007). In terms of expected investment, we will be adding $28 million in ground handling in the next four years. Around $30 million are likely to be invested in cargo business,” Ramachandran had said.

Calling for responsible journalism, Çelebi also urged media outlets and stakeholders to avoid circulating speculative narratives that could jeopardize the livelihood of its workforce and damage years of cooperative progress.