Bombay High Court has restrained Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from appointing a new ground-handling service provider, after the Centre’s revocation of security clearance threatened to end the Turkish-linked firm’s long-standing operations at India’s second-busiest airport.
The interim directive was passed after Celebi’s Indian subsidiary challenged the abrupt cancellation of its clearance by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), citing it as unlawful and lacking substantive explanation. The court’s stay effectively bars MIAL, operated by the Adani Group, from finalising tenders to replace Celebi until a regular bench hears the matter after the summer recess.Celebi’s legal petition contests both the grounds and the process of the security clearance revocation, which it argues were vague and procedurally flawed. The firm has also filed multiple suits in both the Bombay and Delhi High Courts, including against central authorities such as BCAS, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and the Airports Authority of India.
The dispute centres around Celebi’s decade-long presence in Indian aviation. Having entered through Mumbai airport, the company expanded its operations to nine major Indian airports including Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Its services include flight dispatch, passenger assistance, cargo handling, and bridge operations — integral to airport functioning and passenger movement. Industry data suggests Celebi currently manages a major share of ground operations at key metros, contributing to over 70% of such activities in Mumbai alone.The revocation of the security clearance earlier this month led to widespread contract terminations across Indian airports, effectively paralysing the firm’s operations. In the interim, MIAL had appointed Kolkata-based Indo Thai Airport Services on a temporary three-month basis, pending long-term transition. However, the High Court’s order prevents MIAL from proceeding further until Celebi’s challenge is fully heard.
The government’s decision is widely viewed against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, particularly Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan following India’s counter-terrorism operations in April. While BCAS cited “national interests” as the basis for action, Celebi India has categorically denied any political affiliations. In an official statement, the firm underscored its corporate independence, stating that it is “not a Turkish organisation by any standard” and adheres to internationally accepted norms of neutrality, transparency, and governance.Aviation ministry officials maintain that national operations have not suffered despite the reshuffle, citing contingency arrangements made swiftly by respective airport operators. However, industry stakeholders express concern over the long-term implications of such politically influenced disruptions, particularly in a sector as infrastructure-heavy and labour-intensive as airport services.
The matter will return to the courts post-vacation, where the legal scrutiny will focus not only on national security concerns but also on whether due process was followed in the revocation and termination proceedings.
As the case unfolds, the outcome could set a significant precedent for foreign-linked infrastructure firms operating in India, especially those in critical public utility sectors. For now, Celebi holds its ground — both literally and legally — at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
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