In response to heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey following Operation Sindoor, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an urgent directive to Turkish Airlines regarding safety compliance. The regulator emphasizes the importance of immediate remediation of safety lapses identified during recent inspections, underlining the necessity for full adherence to both international and Indian aviation safety standards.
Between May 29 and June 2, the DGCA conducted an extensive series of safety oversight and ramp inspections of Turkish Airlines’ passenger and cargo operations at major Indian airports, including those in Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. These inspections uncovered significant compliance failures, particularly concerning the handling of hazardous cargo and various ground operations.
A critical finding revealed improper documentation related to the transportation of “dangerous goods” on one of the airline’s cargo flights. The DGCA flagged the absence of necessary clearances for transporting explosives over Indian airspace, with relevant documentation neither attached nor referenced in the declaration paperwork. This issue constitutes a serious breach of established aviation safety norms.
Further complications arose from the lack of a formal service-level agreement between Turkish Airlines and Globe Ground India, its current ground handling service provider at Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports. This situation originated after the Indian government revoked the security clearance of Celebi, a Turkish airport services firm, amid growing geopolitical anxieties.
Additional safety irregularities were noted at Bengaluru airport, where a marshaller was operating without the required authorization and competency card. Moreover, a technician was found to be performing aircraft arrival procedures without the presence of a certified aircraft maintenance engineer from Airworks, the designated engineering service partner for Turkish Airlines in India.
In light of these findings, the DGCA pledged to maintain close oversight of Turkish Airlines’ operations and conduct future inspections to ensure ongoing compliance with safety regulations. An official release from the Ministry of Civil Aviation reiterated the DGCA’s commitment to ensuring the safety and regulatory adherence of all foreign operators operating within Indian airspace.
These developments occur amidst a broader assessment of economic ties between India and Turkey, particularly after Turkey’s support for Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025. Turkish aviation-related companies are increasingly facing scrutiny, with national carriers such as IndiGo and Air India taking steps to disrupt operational partnerships in critical areas like aircraft leasing and maintenance.
The actions taken by the DGCA underscore India’s resolute position on aviation safety and national interests, even as geopolitical tensions increasingly impact commercial and civil operations.
