Air services unaffected despite revocation of Turkish firm’s security clearance

Bengaluru: Services at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) remain unaffected despite the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoking the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, a Turkish firm handling ground operations at the airport.

As of May 15, according to a letter from BCAS — the apex aviation security body — the security clearance for the ground-handling agency was revoked with immediate effect. The move was made “in the interest of national security”, the statement said.

Çelebi Airport Services India provides ground-handling operations at nine airports across the country, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Cochin, Kannur, Goa, and Ahmedabad.

At KIA, Çelebi mainly services international airlines. “Since many of them do not have their own staff here, they rely on Çelebi for multiple operations, including ticketing, check-in, and baggage and cargo handling. However, the airport assures passengers, airlines, and cargo stakeholders that necessary measures are being taken to maintain service and operational efficiency during this period,” a well-placed source at the airport told DH.

Çelebi also manages ramp services, load control, flight operations, and warehouse services.

Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) has shifted operations managed by Çelebi to its existing ground-handling service providers. Alongside the Turkey-based company, Air India SATS and GlobeGround India also handle ground services at KIA.

Çelebi entered India through a joint venture at the Mumbai International Airport in 2008. It currently handles over 58,000 flights and 5.4 lakh tonnes of cargo annually, with a workforce of 7,800.