During the India-Pakistan military standoff, Turkey not only supplied armed drones to Pakistan but also sent trained operators for their operation. Furthermore, after India's Operation Sindoor struck terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the night of May 6-7, Pakistan attempted to retaliate against the Indian air defense system, receiving direct military assistance from Turkey.
Meanwhile, it is a concern that Turkish joint venture company Celebi Aviation handles high-security tasks at nine major airports in India. This company operates about 58,000 flights annually in India, including airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.
Celebi's operations in India include ground handling, cargo management, and airside operations, all considered sensitive and high-security tasks. Employees working in the airside zone deal directly with aircraft and are responsible for handling baggage and cargo from international flights.
Turkey's Anti-India Move by Supporting Pakistan
Sources indicate that during the conflict with India, Turkey provided not only drones but also operators to Pakistan, which is viewed as directly siding with Pakistan against India. This happened at a time when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has shown an Islamic inclination and supported Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. It's noteworthy that after the devastating earthquake in 2023, India sent humanitarian aid to Turkey under 'Operation Dost', but Turkey's anti-India stance now raises questions.
Celebi's Presence in India
Celebi Aviation entered the Indian market at Mumbai Airport in 2008 and soon expanded its services to various airports, including Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. The company employs over 7800 people and handles 540,000 tons of cargo annually. Celebi Aviation's services include passenger services, load control, flight operation, ramp services, general aviation, mail and cargo services, warehousing, and bridge operations.
Celebi Aviation Under Scrutiny
Although Celebi is a registered company in India, with its employees passing background checks by security agencies like BCAS and receiving airport entry passes (AEP), its Turkish origin, and Turkey's military support to Pakistan places it under scrutiny in sensitive security matters. Celebi provides services to major airlines in India, including Indigo and Air India, and conducts 75% of its business with foreign airlines.
