Mumbai Airport: Turkey’s Celebi banned after Shiv Sena's MLA protest

According to Murji Patel, Celebi handles nearly 70 per cent of ground operations at Mumbai airport. Representation pic

Within 48 hours of Shiv Sena MLA from Andheri, Murji Patel, demanding the discontinuation of a Turkey-based company handling ground services at Indian airports, the Union government revoked the clearances of Celebi Airport Services.

On Tuesday, Patel, along with the party's airport wing leader Kunal Sarmalkar, visited Mumbai airport and demanded that the Turkey-based company be barred from operating in India within 10 days.

Speaking to mid-day, Patel alleged that Celebi profits from its operations in Mumbai and across India, but when it comes to political support, it sides with Pakistan. "How can we allow a company linked to a nation that openly supports Pakistan to operate in India?" Patel questioned.

He appreciated the Union government for acting swiftly on his demand to terminate the ground services contract with the Turkey-based firm.

According to Patel, Celebi handles nearly 70 percent of the ground operations at Mumbai airport.

Asked whether the move would disrupt airport services, the Sena MLA denied any such possibility. "There's no reason for services to be affected. The staff working with the company will continue as usual, only the service provider will change," Patel said.

Clarifying his position, Patel stressed that his objection was directed at the company and not its employees. "The staff working with Celebi are not at fault. Their livelihood and families should not suffer due to the company's affiliation," he added. On May 15, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security issued a letter revoking all services provided by Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd with immediate effect, citing national security concerns.