India’s busiest airports have cut ties with Turkish aviation firm Çelebi after the central government revoked the company’s security clearance. The decision, based on national security concerns, affects operations in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, where Çelebi had long managed ground handling and cargo services.
Security clearance revoked, operations shifted
On 15 May, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security ( BCAS), under the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, issued an official notification revoking the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India Ltd. This subsidiary of Turkey-based Çelebi Aviation Holding had a significant presence at Indian airports, including Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA).
Following the revocation, Delhi International Airport Limited ( DIAL) announced the termination of its association with Çelebi entities.
“In compliance with the directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to revoke the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has formally ended its association with Çelebi entities responsible for ground handling and cargo operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA),” the airport said in a statement.
Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd, which managed cargo terminals, and Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, which handled ground operations, have both ceased operations at IGIA. DIAL is now working with alternate service providers, including AISATS and Bird Group, to maintain uninterrupted airport functioning. It also confirmed that a pre-approved cargo handler will be onboarded shortly.
“To ensure continuity and operational stability, DIAL is actively coordinating with the existing Ground Handling service providers — AISATS and Bird Group. In case of cargo operation, DIAL is working towards onboarding one of the pre-approved handlers to ensure uninterrupted cargo operations,” it added.
Adani Group follows suit in Mumbai and Ahmedabad
Shortly after the Delhi announcement, Adani Airport Holdings terminated its agreements with Çelebi at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports.
“Following the Government of India’s decision to revoke Çelebi’s security clearance, we have terminated the ground handling concession agreements with Çelebi at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA),” the Mumbai and Ahmedabad Airports said in a statement.
The company added that Çelebi had been directed to hand over all operational facilities to ensure seamless services.
“We will continue to provide seamless service to all airlines without disruptions through new ground handling agencies selected by it,” the spokespersons said.
“Ground handling operations at our airports will remain unaffected. We are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of service and national interest.”
Employee continuity assured across airports
In a coordinated move, both DIAL and Adani Airport Holdings confirmed that all Çelebi employees will retain their jobs. The transition will not impact their current employment terms.
“All existing employees of Çelebi at CSMIA and SVPIA will be transferred to the new ground handling agencies on their existing terms and conditions of employment,” the Mumbai airport noted.
DIAL echoed a similar assurance, stating that all employees at IGIA under Çelebi entities will be moved to the new service providers without changes to their contracts.
The termination follows a wave of criticism against Turkey over its vocal support for Pakistan in recent India-Pakistan tensions, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor. Amidst growing calls for a boycott of Turkish businesses in India, Çelebi became a focal point due to its visible presence at major Indian airports.
Çelebi operates in nine Indian airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. In Mumbai alone, it managed around 70% of ground operations.
Çelebi aviation responds to allegations
In response to the controversy and social media speculation, Çelebi Aviation India issued a statement distancing itself from political affiliations and asserting its international identity.
“We are not a Turkish organisation by any standard and adhere fully to globally accepted practices of corporate governance, transparency, and neutrality, with no political affiliations or links to any foreign government or individuals,” the company stated.
It further clarified its ownership structure, “Çelebi Aviation India is a professionally governed, globally operated aviation services company. Today, it is majority-owned (65%) by international institutional investors from across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Western Europe. Actera Partners II L.P., a Jersey-registered fund holds 50% ownership in Çelebi Havacilik Holding AS. The remaining 15% is held by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch-registered entity.”
Founded in 1958, Çelebi Aviation operates in several countries, including Hungary, Germany, Indonesia, and Tanzania, serving over 400 airline customers and employing around 16,000 staff worldwide.
Adani Group also cuts ties with Chinese lounge provider
In a related development, Adani Airport Holdings also ended its lounge services partnership with DragonPass, a China-headquartered company, with immediate effect.
“Our association with DragonPass, which provided access to airport lounges, has been terminated with immediate effect. DragonPass customers will no longer have access to lounges at Adani-managed airports,” an Adani spokesperson confirmed.
No specific reason was cited for the sudden termination. The decision comes just a week after Adani Digital Labs had announced a partnership with DragonPass aimed at enhancing travel experiences through cashless and digitally tailored services.
Adani Airports operates seven key airports in India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru.
Security clearance revoked, operations shifted
On 15 May, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security ( BCAS), under the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, issued an official notification revoking the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India Ltd. This subsidiary of Turkey-based Çelebi Aviation Holding had a significant presence at Indian airports, including Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA).
Following the revocation, Delhi International Airport Limited ( DIAL) announced the termination of its association with Çelebi entities.
“In compliance with the directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to revoke the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has formally ended its association with Çelebi entities responsible for ground handling and cargo operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA),” the airport said in a statement.
Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd, which managed cargo terminals, and Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, which handled ground operations, have both ceased operations at IGIA. DIAL is now working with alternate service providers, including AISATS and Bird Group, to maintain uninterrupted airport functioning. It also confirmed that a pre-approved cargo handler will be onboarded shortly.
“To ensure continuity and operational stability, DIAL is actively coordinating with the existing Ground Handling service providers — AISATS and Bird Group. In case of cargo operation, DIAL is working towards onboarding one of the pre-approved handlers to ensure uninterrupted cargo operations,” it added.
Adani Group follows suit in Mumbai and Ahmedabad
Shortly after the Delhi announcement, Adani Airport Holdings terminated its agreements with Çelebi at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports.
“Following the Government of India’s decision to revoke Çelebi’s security clearance, we have terminated the ground handling concession agreements with Çelebi at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA),” the Mumbai and Ahmedabad Airports said in a statement.
The company added that Çelebi had been directed to hand over all operational facilities to ensure seamless services.
“We will continue to provide seamless service to all airlines without disruptions through new ground handling agencies selected by it,” the spokespersons said.
“Ground handling operations at our airports will remain unaffected. We are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of service and national interest.”
Employee continuity assured across airports
In a coordinated move, both DIAL and Adani Airport Holdings confirmed that all Çelebi employees will retain their jobs. The transition will not impact their current employment terms.
“All existing employees of Çelebi at CSMIA and SVPIA will be transferred to the new ground handling agencies on their existing terms and conditions of employment,” the Mumbai airport noted.
DIAL echoed a similar assurance, stating that all employees at IGIA under Çelebi entities will be moved to the new service providers without changes to their contracts.
The termination follows a wave of criticism against Turkey over its vocal support for Pakistan in recent India-Pakistan tensions, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor. Amidst growing calls for a boycott of Turkish businesses in India, Çelebi became a focal point due to its visible presence at major Indian airports.
Çelebi operates in nine Indian airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. In Mumbai alone, it managed around 70% of ground operations.
Çelebi aviation responds to allegations
In response to the controversy and social media speculation, Çelebi Aviation India issued a statement distancing itself from political affiliations and asserting its international identity.
“We are not a Turkish organisation by any standard and adhere fully to globally accepted practices of corporate governance, transparency, and neutrality, with no political affiliations or links to any foreign government or individuals,” the company stated.
It further clarified its ownership structure, “Çelebi Aviation India is a professionally governed, globally operated aviation services company. Today, it is majority-owned (65%) by international institutional investors from across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Western Europe. Actera Partners II L.P., a Jersey-registered fund holds 50% ownership in Çelebi Havacilik Holding AS. The remaining 15% is held by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch-registered entity.”
Founded in 1958, Çelebi Aviation operates in several countries, including Hungary, Germany, Indonesia, and Tanzania, serving over 400 airline customers and employing around 16,000 staff worldwide.
Adani Group also cuts ties with Chinese lounge provider
In a related development, Adani Airport Holdings also ended its lounge services partnership with DragonPass, a China-headquartered company, with immediate effect.
“Our association with DragonPass, which provided access to airport lounges, has been terminated with immediate effect. DragonPass customers will no longer have access to lounges at Adani-managed airports,” an Adani spokesperson confirmed.
No specific reason was cited for the sudden termination. The decision comes just a week after Adani Digital Labs had announced a partnership with DragonPass aimed at enhancing travel experiences through cashless and digitally tailored services.
Adani Airports operates seven key airports in India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru.
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