Growing Anti-Turkish Sentiment in India Targets Celebi’s Airport Operations
Key Takeaways:
• Turkish aviation firm Çelebi faces increasing hostility in India for its pro-Pakistan stance amid Indo-Pak tensions.
• Shiv Sena and aviation unions demand ending Çelebi’s operations at major Indian airports, especially Mumbai.
• Indian airlines with Turkish partnerships, including IndiGo and Air India Express, also face public and political pressure.
Islamabad, Pakistan – In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, a strong wave of resentment is rising in India against Turkish companies, particularly Çelebi, a major player in airport ground handling services. The backlash comes as Turkey openly supports Pakistan’s stance, fueling Indian public and political ire.
Çelebi, a Turkish aviation services firm, operates ground handling and cargo services at key Indian airports including Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. It manages around 70% of ground operations at Mumbai’s international airport, handling sensitive tasks such as passenger services, flight operations, ramp services, cargo, and postal logistics.
Recently, Shiv Sena leader Murji Patel led a delegation to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), urging the termination of the partnership with Çelebi NAS Airport Services. The call reflects a broader demand among Indian political groups and aviation unions to sever ties with Turkish companies, accusing them of pro-Pakistan bias.
The controversy is not new; Çelebi was granted security clearance during the UPA government after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, a decision that faced opposition from aviation unions affiliated with Shiv Sena. Critics argue that Çelebi has tried to obscure its Turkish ownership by emphasizing its private equity parent companies.
The Indian aviation sector is witnessing wider turbulence due to Turkey’s perceived support for Pakistan. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, faces social media backlash for its code-sharing partnerships and aircraft leases with Turkish Airlines and Corendon Airlines. Additionally, Air India Express is under scrutiny after signing a maintenance contract with Turkish Technic for its Boeing 737 fleet.
