In a significant development underscoring rising geopolitical tensions, Adani Airport Holdings has terminated all agreements with Turkish aviation firms operating at its key Indian airports, citing national security concerns. The move follows the Union government's decision to revoke security clearance for Turkey’s Celebi Airport Services, and Turkey’s recent show of support for Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s counter-strike—Operation Sindoor.
In a formal statement, Adani Airports confirmed it has terminated the ground handling concession agreements with Celebi at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), effective immediately.
“We have terminated the ground handling concession agreements with Celebi... and directed the company to hand over all ground handling facilities to ensure uninterrupted operations,” the statement said.
Adani Airports further assured stakeholders that all existing Celebi employees at both airports would be retained by new ground handling agencies, with no change in their employment terms. “Ground handling operations at our airports will remain unaffected. We are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of service and national interest,” a spokesperson said.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation had earlier notified that Celebi’s security clearance had been revoked “in the interest of national security.” Sources say this was directly tied to heightened concerns over Turkey’s strategic posture vis-à-vis India, particularly Ankara’s vocal support for Islamabad following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
India responded to the attack with Operation Sindoor, a decisive military action targeting terror camps across the border. However, Turkey’s refusal to condemn the attack and its apparent alignment with Pakistan led to mounting diplomatic unease, prompting security reviews of Turkish firms operating in sensitive Indian infrastructure.
This is not the first Turkish firm to face Adani’s axe. Days earlier, Adani Airport Holdings also severed ties with Turkish firm DragonPass, which provided access to airport lounges at Adani-run facilities.
“Our association with DragonPass has been terminated with immediate effect... DragonPass customers will no longer have access to lounges at Adani-managed airports,” an Adani spokesperson confirmed.
