Celebi Aviation vs Govt Deepens As New Cases Reach Bombay HC After Delhi

Turkey’s airport ground handling and cargo operator, Celebi Aviation Holding, told the Delhi High Court that the government’s decision to revoke its security clearance goes against the principles of natural justice and has severely impacted its business operations in India. Celebi’s legal representative, Mukul Rohatgi, on Wednesday told the court that the company’s business contracts with airports across India were being cancelled after the government’s move on May 15. 

“Our [Celebi’s] business and contracts have been affected...No opportunity of hearing given. It was a bolt from the blue. Without hearing, without notice, without reason...,” said Rohatgi, the Mint reported.

Apart from this, Celebi Aviation’s subsidiary has filed three lawsuits in the Bombay High Court, including two against the Mumbai International Airport seeking reversal of the immediate termination of agreements by the aviation ministry and one seeking the suspension and annulment of the administrative decision to revoke airport security clearance, Reuters reported.

Also Read: Will Celebi’s Security Clearance Revocation Disrupt Operations at Indian Airports?

Following Turkey’s open support for Pakistan amid escalating tensions with India, several Indian airlines had approached the ministry of civil aviation to revoke Celebi’s clearance proposal. Consequently, the ministry revoked the security clearance mandatory for Celebi to run business in the country. 

The company filed a petition in the Delhi HC and claimed that the reason cited by the government for revocation is vague. The Indian government cited national security as a reason for its move. 

After the government’s move, Gautam Adani-led Adani Airport terminated the ground handling concession agreement with Celebi. 

“Following the government of India’s decision to revoke Celebi’s security clearance, we have terminated the ground handling concession agreements with Celebi,” an Adani Airports spokesperson had said, according to cnbctv18. 

Celebi Aviation Services India manages around 58,000 flights and 5.4 lakh tonnes of cargo annually, it has its presence in major airports in India, across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.