Another Setback for Çelebi as Bengaluru Airport Ends Ground Handling Deal
Bengaluru, May 16, 2025: In a significant development following a national security directive, Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru Airport) has officially terminated its ground handling partnership with Turkish company Çelebi Airport Services. This move marks the fourth major Indian airport—after Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad—to sever ties with the Turkish firm.
The announcement from Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) came just a day after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued a directive revoking Çelebi’s security clearance. This directive followed geopolitical tensions and allegations of Turkey’s support for Pakistan in the wake of India’s counter-terror strikes after the Pahalgam attack.
“In compliance with a directive from the BCAS, Government of India, BIAL has transitioned its ground handling operations from Çelebi Airport Services Pvt Ltd to other existing service providers to ensure continuity and operational stability,” the airport operator stated.
BIAL reassured passengers and stakeholders that the transition would be seamless and coordinated in close collaboration with government authorities and aviation partners.
Çelebi’s Diminishing Presence in India
Once a dominant player in ground handling and cargo services across Indian airports, Çelebi is now rapidly losing its footprint. The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) was the first to act, ending its association with Çelebi Airport Services India and Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management. DIAL has since begun working with AISATS and Bird Group to avoid operational disruptions and is onboarding a pre-approved handler to streamline cargo operations.
In line with DIAL’s commitment to employee welfare, all Çelebi staff at the Delhi airport are being absorbed by new employers without any changes in employment terms.
Shortly after Delhi’s exit, Adani Airport Holdings followed suit, cutting ties with Çelebi at both Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). Çelebi has been instructed to immediately hand over all ground handling facilities at both locations.
Kempegowda International Airport’s Exit Deepens the Blow
With Kempegowda International Airport now joining the list, Çelebi’s operational presence in India faces a serious setback. Known for its extensive ground handling services, the Turkish firm had long been integrated into the Indian aviation ecosystem.
This string of terminations reflects heightened sensitivity in India’s aviation sector to national security concerns and foreign affiliations, particularly when geopolitical sentiments are at play.
