Does Erdogan’s daughter hold shares in Celebi Aviation? Turkish companies deny politics, foreign government links – what it says
India’s ÇelebiAviation strongly dismissed the recent allegations circulating on social media, which have become increasingly controversial after Indian authorities revoked its security permit. The statement was published at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi terminated its contract with the Turkish-American company, citing security concerns, and çelebi firmly denied the issue.
“By any standard, we are not a Turkish organization and fully comply with globally recognized corporate governance, transparency and neutral practices, without any political affiliation or connection with any foreign government or individual,” the official statement said.
India’s ÇelebiAviation stressed in a detailed statement that it is a professionally managed globally operated aviation service company with majority ownership of international institutional investors from Canada, the United States, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Western Europe.
ÇelebiAviation clarified that 65% of its ownership lies in these international investors, Actera Partners II LP, a Jersey-registered fund, holding 50% of ÇelebiHavacılık Holding A.S., and the remaining 15% are owned by Alpha Airport Services BV BV, Dutch’s Entity.
Founded by the Çelebioğlu family in 1958, ÇelebiAviation is the first private and independent ground treatment company in Turkey. The company has worked in India for over 15 years and is a key player in the private ground processing sector, directly employing more than 10,000 Indians and supporting thousands of families.
According to an official statement, the released ÇelebiAviation has invested more than US$220 million in long-term infrastructure and operates in India’s busiest airports.
Celebi Airlines clarifies allegations
ÇelebiAviation spoke of rumors about political affiliation and connections to the Turkish government, explicitly rejecting the claim that it has any connection with the Turkish government or politicians.
The company specifically denied the allegations involving Ms. Sümeyye Erdoğan, daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, noting that she has no equity or ownership in the parent company organization.
Türkiye’s equity is limited to members of the founding members, while Canançelebioğlu-East holds 17.5% of the members, without political affiliation or association.
Indian authorities have strengthened scrutiny of companies.
ÇelebiAviation responded to all its facilities, including the Delhi Airport cargo terminal, which is fully compliant with Air India, national security and tax regulations.
çelebi Aviation also noted that their operations are often audited by Indian aviation and security agencies such as the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Civil Aviation Safety Agency (BCAS) and Airport Authority of India (AAI).
çelebi expresses confidence in transparency, facts and common sense, which will dominate.
The dispute began with Indian security agencies raising concerns about the company’s ownership structure and alleging links with foreign political entities, resulting in the withdrawal of their security permits – a key requirement for handling sensitive airport operations.
Subsequently, Delhi’s IGI Airport announced that it would cease its association with Çelebi and take security agreements and national interests as examples.
Çelebi urges responsibility for disseminating information and calls on the media and stakeholders to avoid amplifying speculative and inaccurate narratives, which could hurt years of collaboration success and the lives of thousands of employees and their families in India
