In a significant interim order, the Bombay High Court has paused Mumbai International Airport Ltd’s plans to appoint a new ground handling operator, offering temporary relief to Turkish aviation services firm Celebi. The court has asked MIAL not to move forward with tender decisions until Celebi’s petitions are fully heard in June.
This legal pause comes as Celebi challenges the government’s abrupt cancellation of its security clearance, which was revoked shortly after Turkey expressed public support for Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terror attack in India. Celebi alleges this decision has severely disrupted its business operations across several Indian airports.
Prior to this clearance being cancelled by the civil aviation authority on May 15, Celebi handled ground operations at nine major airports across the country. The company has initiated legal action in both the Delhi and Bombay High Courts, seeking to overturn what it sees as arbitrary and damaging terminations.
In its appeal, Celebi has contested MIAL’s termination of two key agreements—the one for bridge-mounted equipment and another for ground handling services. The company claims the terminations were unilateral and immediate, and requested that MIAL be restrained from finalising new tenders issued on May 17.
The Delhi High Court has already heard detailed arguments from both the government and Celebi and has reserved its verdict as of May 23.
Responding to media speculation, Celebi issued a strong statement dismissing rumours surrounding its ownership. “Çelebi Aviation India unequivocally refutes all allegations circulating on social media regarding the company’s ownership and operations in India,” it stated. The firm clarified that it is majority-owned by institutional investors from nations including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the UAE, and others. Actera Partners II L.P., a Jersey-based fund, holds 50 percent in the parent firm, while 15 percent is held by Alpha Airport Services BV of the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, over 10,000 temporary workers have reportedly been shifted to other aviation service providers like AI SATS, AI ASL, and Bird Group. MIAL has also roped in Indo Thai Airport Services for interim ground handling duties at Mumbai Airport.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
