Adani Airport Holdings has officially ended its association with Turkish ground handling company Çelebi at the Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports. The decision comes in response to a directive issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which revoked Çelebi’s security clearance on national security grounds. This step, while sudden, reflects the seriousness with which authorities and airport operators are prioritizing security in increasingly sensitive global conditions.
While parting ways with a long-standing partner is never easy, especially in critical operational areas such as ground handling, Adani Airports has assured all stakeholders that this transition will not impact day-to-day operations. The company has moved swiftly to appoint new ground handling agencies, ensuring that services to airlines and passengers remain uninterrupted. Such proactive planning reflects a deep understanding of the complexity of airport logistics and the importance of continuity, especially in hubs as busy as Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
It’s worth acknowledging that ground handling teams play a silent but vital role in keeping airports running safely and efficiently. From baggage handling to aircraft turnaround, their work often goes unseen but is crucial to the overall travel experience. For those employed under the previous arrangement, this change may bring uncertainty, but with adequate planning and responsible onboarding by the new agencies, the transition can still be made as smooth and fair as possible.
Security concerns in aviation are not just about compliance — they are about safeguarding lives, protecting infrastructure, and maintaining public trust. Adani’s compliance with BCAS’s directive, while difficult, reinforces the country’s commitment to aviation safety at all levels. In times like these, decisions made in the national interest must be respected, and it is heartening to see them being implemented with responsibility and care.