Adani Airport Holdings has terminated its partnership with Turkish aviation firm Çelebi for ground handling services at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). This decision follows the Indian government’s revocation of Çelebi’s security clearance due to national security concerns. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) cited issues related to foreign affiliations and strategic risks, particularly in light of Turkey’s support for Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor and reports of Turkish military equipment being used in attacks against India.
In response to the government’s directive, Adani Airport Holdings has instructed Çelebi to immediately hand over all ground handling facilities to ensure uninterrupted airport operations. The company has assured that all existing Çelebi employees at CSMIA and SVPIA will be transferred to new ground handling agencies on their current terms and conditions of employment.
This move is part of a broader trend, as major Indian airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru have severed ties with Çelebi following the revocation of its security clearance. The decisions underscore the Indian government’s heightened focus on national security in the aviation sector.
Çelebi has been operating in India since 2008, providing ground handling and cargo services at several major airports. The company has stated that it is not a Turkish state-owned entity and has denied any allegations related to national security threats.
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Additionally, Adani Airport Holdings has ended its association with DragonPass, a Chinese lounge service provider, amid rising global geopolitical tensions.
The Indian government has emphasized that these actions are in the interest of national security, aiming to mitigate potential risks associated with foreign affiliations in critical infrastructure sectors.
