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Airports across the country have cut their ties with Turkish ground handling services provider Celebi Airport Services Pvt Ltd after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked its
security clearance in the interest of “national security”.
“Following the Government of India’s decision to revoke Celebi's security clearance, we have terminated the ground handling concession agreements with Celebi at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA),” said the spokespersons of Adani Group-operated Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports.
“Accordingly, Celebi has been directed to immediately hand over to us all ground handling facilities to ensure uninterrupted operations,” the spokespeople said, adding that ground handling
operations at its airports will remain unaffected. “We will continue to provide seamless service to all airlines without disruptions through new ground handling agencies selected by us. All
existing employees of Celebi at CSMIA and SVPIA will be transferred to the new ground handling agencies on their existing terms and conditions of employment,” the statement said. “We are
fully committed to upholding the highest standards of service and national interest,” it added.
This comes after Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Airports Ltd (GAL)-led consortium, formally ended its association
with Çelebi responsible for ground handling and cargo operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
Çelebi Aviation ran operations at nine major airports across the country and employed more than 10,000 people directly in India. The employees currently on the rolls of Çelebi entities for
cargo and ground handling services at IGI Airport will be transitioned to the new employer with immediate effect.
Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) too has severed its ties with Çelebi. “In compliance with the directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to revoke the security
clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) is working closely with existing ground handling service providers to ensure continuity and
operational stability. BIAL is actively coordinating the transition to maintain seamless airport operations. The airport assures passengers, airlines, and cargo stakeholders that all
necessary measures are being taken to uphold service and operational efficiency during this period,” a BIAL spokesperson told Fortune India.
Goa’s Manohar International Airport has also cut its ties with the Turkish company. “Consequent to the revocation of security clearance granted to M/s Celebi Airport Services Pvt Ltd, who
were providing ground handling service at our Manohar International Airport, Goa, by Bureau of Civil Aviatio Security, Govt of India, we have made alternative arrangements ensuring smooth
transition and continuity of ground handling services,” the airport said.
Hyderabad-based Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is working closely with alternative service providers and regulatory authorities to facilitate a smooth transition after the revocation of
security clearance to Celebi.
Meanwhile, Çelebi Aviation India dismissed what it described as “misleading and factually incorrect claims” about its ownership and operations in India. In an official statement, Çelebi
Aviation, which offers a range of services including passenger assistance, ramp handling, flight operations, aircraft cleaning, and load control, said it is majority-owned—65%—by
institutional investors based in countries such as Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, the UAE, and Western Europe. Additionally, Actera Partners II L.P., a fund registered in Jersey,
holds a 50% stake in Çelebi Havacılık Holding A.Ş., the parent company. The remaining 15% is owned by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch-registered firm.