India-Pakistan Conflict: The Shiv Sena has demanded the immediate termination of a Turkish ground-handling company’s contract at Mumbai’s international airport.
Citing national security concerns over Turkey’s alleged support for Pakistan in recent drone-related activities from across the border, Shiv Sena leader Murji Patel led a delegation to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), calling for an end to its association with Celebi NAS Airport Services.
“Turkey may not be firing weapons directly, but supplying drones that are used to target our borders is no less than a hostile act,” Patel, the Shiv Sena faction leader was quoted as saying in Mumbai earlier this week. The delegation has asked the Mumbai airport to stop the company’s contract within 10 days after the protest on 13 May.
“We cannot allow a country that supports our enemy to make money off Indian infrastructure,” said Patel, the MLA from Andheri East Assembly constituency in Mumbai Suburban district.
10-day Ultimatum
The Sena has given Mumbai International Airport a 10-day deadline to cancel the contract, warning of protests if no action is taken. Patel said, the party has already met with the airport’s CEO, who has promised to review the matter and respond within the timeframe.
The ultimatum comes at a time when social media is abuzz with boycott calls for travel to Turkiye. This, precisely becasue, Turkiye is accused of providing military assistance to Pakistan as it tried to swarm the Indian air defence system after India struck terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) during Operation Sindoor on May 7.
What is Çelebi aviation?
Headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, Çelebi Aviation sats it operates on 3 continents, in 6 countries, including India and in 70 stations worldwide.
Çelebi stepped into the aviation industry with the establishment of Çelebi Ground Handling in 1958 as Turkey’s first privately-owned ground handling services company, the website reads. Today, it offers services like ramp, passenger, cargo handling, warehouse management, bridge operations, airport lounge management, to name a few.
In India, the company entered in 2008 with a joint venture with a mandate to provide comprehensive and ‘world-class’ services at Mumbai International Airport. Since then, it has expanded rapidly.
58,000 fights, 5,40,000 tons of cargo
According to Sanjay Lazar, an aviation consultant, Çelebi was granted security clearance, at the peak of post 26-11 attacks, when the UPA government was in power. Many Aviation trade unions affiliated to the Shiv Sena under late Balasaheb Thackeray, he said, had opposed the entry of Çelebi at airports across India.
“We even had morchas (protests) etc, at Mumbai airport back then. Since then, whenever the issue has surfaced due to India-Turkey problems, they have tried to cover up their Turkish ownership, by talking about the parent being owned by Private Equity companies,” he said in a post on X.
In India, the company handles 58,000 fights, 5,40,000 tons of cargo and has about 7,800 employees, the website says.
“From passenger services and load control from flight operations to ramp services, the company handles general aviation services, cargo and postal services, warehouses and bridge operation from end-to-end,” said a Mumbai airport official who did not want to be named.
“Boycotts don’t happen overnight.’
Presence at 9 airports in India
Today, Çelebi has presence at 9 airports in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chennai. It provides ground handling as Çelebi Airport Services India and cargo services as Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India at Delhi.
“I think Indigo is the only airline that has its own ground staff. The airlines may be in talks with the company. It cannot happen overnight given the huge presence that the company has. Yes, there is national sentiment, but it takes time,” the official said.
We cannot allow a country that supports our enemy to make money off Indian infrastructure.
LiveMint’s query to Çelebi Aviation has not been responded to yet. This story will be updated when a response is received.
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