Aviation security watchdog BCAS on Thursday cancelled the security clearance given to Turkish ground handling company Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd. The development comes at a time when Turkey has supported Pakistan and condemned India's recent attacks on terror camps in Pakistan. In an order, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) said it has cancelled the security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India, which is part of Turkey-based Celebi. According to Celebi's website, the company provides services at nine airports (Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chennai).

The order issued by Sunil Yadav, Joint Director, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, said, "The security clearance in respect of Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited under the Ground Handling Agency category was approved by the Director General of BCAS on November 21, 2022. In exercise of the powers conferred on the Director General of BCAS, the security clearance in respect of Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited is cancelled with immediate effect in the interest of national security."

Statement of Union Minister

On the cancellation of security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol said, "Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited is a Turkish company, which provides ground services at many airports in the country. Turkey had openly supported Pakistan. In view of the current situation, it has become a national security issue. Keeping security in mind, Celebi has been banned in the country."

Company gave clarification
Celebi has clarified on this matter and said that it is not a Turkish company. International investors hold 65 percent stake in the company. Along with this, the company has also clarified that Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has no connection with the company. There are only two Turkish shareholders in the company. Can Celebioglu and Canan Celebioglu, members of the founding Celebioglu family. Both have a stake of 17.5%.

Temporary recruitment will have to be done at Delhi-Mumbai Airport

Three companies provide both cargo and passenger terminal ground handling services at Delhi Airport. Apart from Celebi, these also include AISATS and Bird Group. Celebi used to provide non-cargo ground handling in Mumbai. Now in Mumbai there are Bird Flight Services, Agile Airport Services and AI Airport Services Limited. Some temporary arrangements will have to be made to appoint ground handlers at these airports soon. After this they will issue a tender for the appointment of another ground handler. According to sources, many ground holding companies are eyeing this opportunity to increase their business.

What is the work of a ground handler

Ground handlers at airports handle various tasks to ensure the efficient and safe operation of aircraft on the ground. They load and unload luggage, cargo and mail. They also assist in ground services such as passenger check-in, boarding and fuel distribution, aircraft maintenance and cleaning. Additionally, they move aircraft to parking positions and ensure safe movement of aircraft on the ground.

JNU, Jamia break agreements

Many universities of the country, including JNU and Jamia, have ended their agreements with Turkey. Hyderabad-based Maulana Azad National Urdu University announced that it ends its academic agreement with Turkey's Yunus Emre Institute with immediate effect. The university said that when there was tension between the two countries during the action against terrorism in Pakistan, Turkey supported Pakistan. This is why this decision has been taken. Jamia has also broken all its academic agreements with all Turkish universities. Jamia's Chief PRO Saima Saeed said that Jamia has suspended the MOUs signed with Turkish institutions. We have taken this decision in the interest of the country.

Fruit sellers boycotting Turkish apples

Fruit sellers in India have stopped importing apples from Turkey. Retail traders are also not buying Turkish apples from big traders. The reasoning behind this is that Turkey, which supports the enemy, should be hurt economically. Along with traders, the general public has also started boycotting Turkey. She said that people have stopped eating Turkish apples. Its demand has reduced considerably. According to information received from traders, more than one lakh metric tonnes of apples were imported to India from Turkey.