Adani Terminates Partnership with Turkish Firm Celebi at Mumbai and Ahmedabad Airports
- Adani Airport Holdings has ended its partnership with Turkish company Celebi at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports.
- The termination follows a national security directive by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which revoked Çelebi’s security clearance.
- Celebi has been directed to immediately hand over all ground handling facilities to ensure uninterrupted airport operations.
Adani Airport Holdings has severed its association with Turkish ground handler Çelebi at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). The action is on the back of a national security directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which led to the withdrawal of Çelebi's security clearance.
In a statement, Adani Airport Holdings asserted the cancellation of ground handling concession agreements with Çelebi. "After the Government of India's move to cancel Çelebi's security clearance, we have cancelled the agreements at CSMIA and SVPIA", a company spokesperson stated. The company has asked Çelebi to transfer all ground handling operations immediately in order to maintain continuity in services.
In a bid to prevent a disruption in operations, Adani confirmed that new ground handling agencies have already been contracted. The company assured airline partners and passengers that there will be no effect on the quality of the services. "All the existing employees of Çelebi at the two airports will be transferred to the new ground handling agencies on the same terms and conditions", the spokesperson said.
This move comes following a similar action by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which earlier terminated its association with Çelebi Airport Services India and Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management. Çelebi had been providing such services as passenger check-ins, ramp handling, and cargo operations activities touching sensitive airport zones.
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DIAL has begun working with pre-approved ground handling companies like AISATS and Bird Group to provide stable and uninterrupted services. "DIAL assures all passengers, airlines, and cargo stakeholders that operational efficiency will be maintained during this transition", the company said.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is strictly monitoring the transition in affected airports. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu reaffirmed the government's intention to ensure national security and public safety. "Arrangements are being made at all affected airports to ensure smooth handling of passengers and cargo", he said.
The ministry has also given importance to retaining seasoned Çelebi staff by inducting them into new ground handling agencies. Tenders would also be floated in the near future to engage permanent service providers at the affected airports.
The changeover is an important step in protecting India's aviation infrastructure while providing unbroken airport services.
