India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has identified serious security violations in Turkish Airlines’ (THY) operations at four major airports. During unannounced inspections conducted between May 29 and June 2, 2025, at Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru airports, authorities found troubling signs—most notably, indications of explosives being transported without proper permits. Indian officials issued stern warnings to THY, placing the airline’s domestic activities under strict surveillance.
DGCA: Explosives Require Permits; Declarations Incomplete
According to the DGCA, inspections revealed that Turkish Airlines had transported explosive materials in cargo flights without obtaining the mandatory permits from Indian authorities. Furthermore, the airline failed to properly declare the hazardous materials in required documentation, constituting a violation of international aviation safety standards.
“Explosives were not clearly listed on the dangerous goods declaration, and necessary transport authorizations were not submitted to the DGCA.” — DGCA Report
Ground Service Deficiencies and Operations Without Contracts
The inspections also uncovered shortcomings beyond cargo security. In particular, at Bengaluru Airport:
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Ground staff lacked the necessary authorization and qualification documents.
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Maintenance engineers were absent during aircraft landings, and responsibilities were improperly shifted to lower-level technicians.
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In some airports, THY operated without formal contracts with ground service providers.
Additionally, in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, vital equipment such as stairs and ground power units lacked proper tracking and monitoring systems.
The Celebi–Globe Ground India Controversy
The DGCA also scrutinized THY’s relationship with its ground handling provider Celebi. It was revealed that Celebi had transferred certain services to Globe Ground India without official handover protocols, creating accountability and service continuity issues.
This development follows an earlier move by Indian authorities to suspend Celebi’s operating license due to safety concerns.
Compliance Directive and Follow-up Audits for THY
The DGCA has demanded that Turkish Airlines immediately address all identified deficiencies and ensure full compliance with international civil aviation standards. The authority confirmed that THY’s operations would remain under close supervision, with follow-up audits to resume shortly.
IndiGo–THY Partnership Affected
These events have also impacted the wet lease agreement between THY and India’s leading airline, IndiGo. The DGCA announced that the contract covering two leased Boeing 777s will expire on August 31, 2025, and will not be renewed. The aircraft had been operating on the Delhi–Istanbul and Mumbai–Istanbul routes.
Political Backdrop: Is Turkey–Pakistan Alignment a Factor?
Some sources speculate that the timing of the inspections may be linked to Turkey’s support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The use of Turkish-made drones by actors opposing India has reportedly contributed to rising tensions between the two nations.
