Bengaluru Airport Ends Çelebi Contract: Turkey Boycott Impact

Bengaluru Airport: Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Friday announced the end of its ground services deal with Çelebi. The move follows the Indian government’s decision to revoke Çelebi Airport Services India’s security clearance over the company’s alleged support for Pakistan. Çelebi is a subsidiary of Turkish firm Çelebi Aviation Holding.

Bengaluru Airport’s Contract:

According to the notification, Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) has shifted its ground handling operations from Çelebi to other existing service providers. The move aims to ensure continuity and operational stability.

The airport said it is coordinating the transition with all aviation stakeholders and government authorities. It also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining smooth operations during the change.

Mumbai and Ahmedabad Terminates Contracts:

Earlier in the day, the airports in Ahmedabad and Mumbai terminated their ground handling concession agreements with Çelebi. They instructed the company to immediately hand over all ground handling facilities to ensure uninterrupted operations. On Thursday, Delhi International Airport Limited also cut ties with the Turkish firm, ending its role in ground handling and cargo operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), citing national security concerns.

On May 15, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security under the Civil Aviation Ministry revoked the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India Ltd. The company is a subsidiary of Istanbul-based Çelebi Aviation Holding. The government took this step amid rising public calls to boycott Çelebi. The firm faced criticism for allegedly supporting Pakistan during recent tensions with India after the Pahalgam terror attack and “Operation Sindoor.”

Çelebi Response to the Act:

Amid growing controversy over the revocation of its security clearance, Çelebi Aviation India denied social media claims about its ownership and operations. The company called the allegations “misleading and factually incorrect.” In an official statement, Çelebi clarified that it does not operate as a Turkish organization. It said it follows global standards of corporate governance, transparency, and neutrality, with no political ties or links to any foreign government or individuals.

Layoffs in Celebi?

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Thursday that the government is working to retain Celebi workers and ensure they continue contributing, following the Center’s revocation of security clearance for the Turkish company Celebi NAS Airport Services.

According to media reports, the Union Minister is actively coordinating with airport operators and personally monitoring the situation to ensure a smooth handover.

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“We are also deploying special teams to oversee operations and address any emerging issues in real time,” the Minister added. While guaranteeing the smooth flow of people and goods throughout the nation, we will continue to protect national security.”