Celebi's India Woes Continue, Chennai Airport Severs Ties After Mumbai Relief

Celebi Hava Servisi, the Turkish ground handling services company, has begun another legal battle in India shortly after securing interim relief from the Bombay High Court. On May 26, the same day the court restrained Adani Group-led Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from awarding new ground handling contracts, Chennai International Airport terminated its agreement with Celebi’s Indian subsidiary.

In a separate exchange filing, the Istanbul-listed company said, “The Concession Agreement signed between our 100% owned subsidiary, Celebi GS Chennai Private Limited (CGSC), and Chennai International Airport (MAA), which was valid until 2033, has been unilaterally terminated by MAA on the grounds of alleged contradictions with national security considerations. The termination notice was delivered on May 26.”

Celebi claimed its subsidiary “has never engaged in any activity that would violate national security considerations or relevant Indian legislation.”

In a later filing, the Turkish firm stated that Celebi GS Chennai had filed two arbitration applications with requests for interim measures against the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in the Madras High Court, contesting what it described as “the unjust unilateral termination of the Ground Handling Concession Agreement.”

CGSC's operations were cancelled after the Civil Aviation Security Bureau under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation revoked Celebi's security clearance. The move followed heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, during which Turkey was accused of supplying drones to Pakistan that were allegedly used in cross-border incidents. The backlash led to public and political pressure within India.

Since the revocation of its security clearance, several Indian airports—including Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai—have severed ties with Celebi.

Bombay HC Grants Interim Relief to Celebi

On May 26, the Bombay High Court granted interim relief to Celebi’s Indian subsidiary, Celebi Nas. The court ordered MIAL to suspend finalising new tenders for ground handling services at Mumbai Airport until June 12.

The court also allowed Celebi Nas access to the airport to conduct an inventory of its assets. Indo Thai Management Services—appointed by MIAL as interim handler—was directed to share all relevant financial and operational reports with Celebi Nas.

The ruling followed Celebi's petition under Section 9 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, challenging MIAL’s decision to appoint IndoThai as interim ground handling provider at CSMIA for three months. Celebi has also filed a separate writ petition in the Bombay High Court.