Bengaluru Airport drops Çelebi after the BCAS directive, following Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad in cutting ties.
In a fresh setback for Turkish ground handling firm Çelebi Airport Services, the Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) has terminated its association with the company, transitioning operations to other service providers. The move comes just a day after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued a national security directive revoking Çelebi’s clearance in India.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation’s action on May 15 follows heightened tensions after Turkey expressed support for Pakistan in the wake of India’s air strikes on terrorist camps post the Pahalgam attack. Çelebi, a prominent player in India’s aviation ground handling sector, has now lost operations at major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad — and now Bengaluru.
“In compliance with a directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Government of India, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) has transitioned its ground handling operations from Çelebi Airport Services to other existing service providers,” BIAL stated.
The airport operator assured that all efforts are being made to maintain operational continuity. “We are coordinating the transition in collaboration with aviation stakeholders and government authorities to ensure seamless service,” it added.
The revocation of Çelebi’s security clearance is part of a broader realignment of India’s aviation partnerships in line with national security priorities.
Source: BT
