In yet another significant development, Çelebi Airport Services has suffered another major setback in India. The Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) announced on Friday that it has transitioned its ground handling operations away from Çelebi to other existing service providers. This decision comes on the heels of a national security directive issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
On May 15, the Government of India revoked the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services, a prominent Turkish firm operating at several key airports across the country. The move followed diplomatic tensions after Turkey expressed support for Pakistan in the wake of India’s retaliatory strikes on terrorist camps linked to the Pahalgam attack.
“In compliance with the directive from BCAS, BIAL has transitioned its ground handling services from Çelebi Airport Services Pvt Ltd to other existing providers to ensure operational stability,” the airport said in an official statement. The airport authorities assured that all steps are being taken to ensure smooth continuity during the transition. “We are working in close coordination with aviation stakeholders and government bodies to maintain seamless operations,” BIAL added.
With this, Bengaluru becomes the fourth major airport to sever ties with the Turkish company, following similar decisions by airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. Çelebi has been a significant player in both ground handling and cargo services across India.
The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) was the first to cut ties with Çelebi, terminating contracts with both Çelebi Airport Services India and Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management. To manage the transition, DIAL has partnered with existing service providers such as AISATS and the Bird Group to avoid operational disruptions. Additionally, a new pre-approved handler is being onboarded to streamline cargo operations.
Importantly, all Çelebi staff at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will transition to new employers without any changes to their employment terms. Following Delhi’s lead, Adani Airport Holdings also ended its partnership with Çelebi at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). Çelebi has been directed to hand over all ground handling facilities at these airports to ensure continued operations without disruption.
