Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru is the latest major airport in the country to terminate its ground handling agreement with Çelebi, a Turkish aviation holding company.
The move follows the Indian government's decision to revoke security clearance for Çelebi Airport Services India Ltd—a subsidiary of Çelebi Aviation Holding—citing Turkey’s support for Pakistan.
In a statement, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) confirmed that it has transitioned ground handling operations from Çelebi to other existing service providers to ensure "continuity and operational stability".
“We are coordinating the transition in collaboration with all existing aviation stakeholders and government authorities,” the airport said, adding, “We remain committed to maintaining seamless operations throughout this period of transition.”
Airports in Mumbai and Ahmedabad also terminated their ground handling contracts with Çelebi. Both airports directed the company to immediately hand over all ground handling facilities to avoid disruption of services.
Delhi International Airport Limited had taken a similar step a day earlier, ending its ties with Çelebi for ground handling and cargo operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), citing national security concerns.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, under the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, formally notified the revocation of Çelebi Airport Services India Ltd’s security clearance. The decision follows mounting calls to boycott the company, which is headquartered in Istanbul, amid Turkey’s support for Pakistan during recent tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Amid the growing controversy, Çelebi Aviation India issued a statement denying the allegations circulating on social media about its ownership and affiliations.
“We are not a Turkish organisation by any standard,” the company said. “We fully adhere to globally accepted corporate governance practices, transparency and neutrality, and we have no political affiliations or links to any foreign government or individual.”
Following the Centre’s revocation of Çelebi’s security clearance, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said efforts are under way to ensure that employees working with the company are retained.
“The Ministry is personally monitoring the situation and is coordinating with airport operators to manage the transition smoothly,” the Minister said. “We are deploying special teams to oversee operations and address any emerging issues in real time. Our priority remains national security while ensuring the continuity of travel and cargo operations across the country.”
(By arrangement with livemint.com)
