In the backdrop of escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey following Operation Sindoor, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a directive to Turkish Airlines, calling for immediate rectification of safety lapses identified during recent inspections. The civil aviation regulator has stressed full adherence to international and Indian aviation safety norms.
From May 29 to June 2, the DGCA carried out a series of safety oversight and ramp inspections of Turkish Airlines’ passenger and cargo operations at major Indian airports including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. These inspections revealed serious compliance issues, particularly in the handling of hazardous cargo and ground operations.
A key finding was the improper documentation related to the transport of “dangerous goods” on board one of the airline’s cargo flights. The DGCA noted that the required clearance for transporting explosives over Indian airspace was neither attached nor referenced in the declaration paperwork—a direct breach of aviation safety norms.
In addition, the inspections exposed the absence of a formal service-level agreement between Turkish Airlines and its current ground handling service provider, Globe Ground India, at Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports. Globe Ground India began supporting the airline after the Indian government revoked the security clearance of Celebi, a Turkish airport services firm, due to rising geopolitical concerns.
Further safety irregularities were recorded at Bengaluru airport, where a marshaller was found to be operating without the necessary authorization and competency card. In another case, a technician conducted aircraft arrival procedures in the absence of a certified aircraft maintenance engineer from Airworks, the designated engineering service partner for Turkish Airlines in India.
The DGCA underscored that it will continue monitoring Turkish Airlines’ operations and conduct further inspections to ensure ongoing safety compliance. “The DGCA emphasizes its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of all foreign operators within Indian airspace,” said the Ministry of Civil Aviation in an official release.
This development comes amid a broader push within India to reassess and curtail economic ties with Turkey, which has openly supported Pakistan during the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025. Turkish aviation-related firms have come under increasing scrutiny, with national carriers like IndiGo and Air India initiating steps to sever operational links with Turkish partners in areas like aircraft leasing and maintenance.
The DGCA’s actions reflect India’s firm stance on aviation safety and national interest, even as geopolitical frictions spill over into commercial and civil sectors.
