Flight operators at Chennai airport stop using Turkish ground handling firm following Centre’s order

Chennai airport switches ground handling services from Çelebi to AIASL and Bird Group due to security concerns.

Following an order from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), airlines operating out of the Chennai airport stopped using the services of Çelebi, Turkish ground handling service provider, from Thursday and quickly switched to other operators.

Immediately after the order was issued, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) began facilitating the switch to AIASL and Bird Airport Services, a part of the Bird Group. Ground handling, a crucial service in airport operations, involves everything from baggage transfer and flight maintenance to towing and passenger support.

In a circular, the BCAS said: “In the exercise of power conferred upon Director General, BCAS, the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security.”

Social media has been rife with posts to boycott Turkiye following the military strikes between India and Pakistan.

Three years ago, Çelebi got the contract for ground handling services at the city airport. Apart from Chennai, the company also handled the services at airports including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kannur, Hyderabad, Goa, and Kochi. It was the ground handling operator for Scoot, US Bangla, SpiceJet, British Airways, Royal Brunei, and Cathay Pacific, a source said.

Sources said the airlines at the city airport began negotiations with other ground handling service providers as soon as the order came. Cathay Pacific and British Airways had flights on Thursday night. Some of the staff employed by Çelebi were immediately absorbed into the other firms.

“Nearly 300 Indians are working with Çelebi. Gradually, we hope all of them get hired in either of these two companies. There is a need for that kind of manpower here to ensure that flight operations go smoothly,” another source said.