Celebi's Arbitration Plea Against Adani's Ahmedabad Airport Dismissed

A court in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad has rejected Celebi Ground Handling India’s arbitration application for interim measures against Adani Ahmedabad International Airport, the company's Turkish parent announced in a filing to the Istanbul stock exchange today.

Celebi had filed the plea after Adani Airports severed ties with the company following the revocation of its security clearance by the Indian government.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) withdrew Celebi’s security clearance on May 15, shortly after Turkey condemned India’s airstrikes on terrorist camps in neighbouring Pakistan. Turkey also faced backlash in India after Turkish drones were reportedly used by Pakistan against Indian cities.

"The arbitration application made by our subsidiary Çelebi Ground Handling India Pvt. Ltd. ('Celebi GH India'), 61% of whose capital is owned by our company, for interim measures against Adani Ahmedabad International Airport Limited at the Commercial Court in Ahmedabad on 27.05.2025, regarding operations at Ahmedabad International Airport and the cancellation of security permits by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, was dismissed on 02.06.2025. Our subsidiary will be appealing to the Higher Court," the stock exchange filing said.

The Commercial Court in Ahmedabad handles commercial disputes under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, and addresses such matters within Ahmedabad and other designated areas of Gujarat.

The company said it plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Celebi has operated in India for over 15 years, employs more than 10,000 people, and has provided ground-handling services at nine airports across the country. However, following the revocation of its security clearance, at least four major international airports—including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad—have cut ties with the company.

Celebi has filed several legal cases challenging the decision. On May 27, the Turkish firm stated that its subsidiary, Celebi GS Chennai, had filed two arbitration applications seeking interim relief against the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in the Madras High Court. These applications contest what the company described as “the unjust unilateral termination of the Ground Handling Concession Agreement.”

A day earlier, on May 26, the Bombay High Court granted interim relief to Celebi’s Indian subsidiary, Celebi NAS. The court ordered Adani Group-led Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) to pause the finalisation of new ground-handling tenders at Mumbai Airport until 12 June.