Key Takeaways
• On May 15, 2025, BCAS revoked Celebi’s security clearance over national security concerns, disrupting Mumbai Airport operations.
• Indo Thai Airport Services took over ground handling, transferring 3,000 Celebi workers, leases, and equipment to ensure seamless service.
• Mumbai Airport will invite bids for a long-term partner within three days, aiming to finalize ground handling changes by August 2025.
The sudden shift in ground handling operations at Mumbai Airport has sparked attention across the aviation and immigration sectors in India. On May 15, 2025, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Celebi, a well-established Turkish firm, due to concerns about national security. This has led to fast and thorough changes at one of India’s busiest airports, with Indo Thai Airport Services stepping in as the interim ground handler. Let’s break down exactly what has happened, why it matters, and what this means for everyone involved—from airport staff and travelers to airlines and international partners.
What Just Happened at Mumbai Airport?
Just after the government’s decision, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) responded by signing Indo Thai Airport Services to handle all ground operations. Indo Thai already operates in nine other airports throughout India, bringing their experience to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (commonly referred to as Mumbai Airport). The arrangement is temporary, lasting three months while a longer-term solution is found.
Adani Airport Holdings, which manages the airport, also ended its agreement with Celebi not only in Mumbai but also at Ahmedabad. This underscores how seriously the authorities are treating security clearances and related policies.
Who is Affected by These Changes?
This transition involves a large workforce and a significant operational shift:
- Around 3,000 workers from Celebi’s Mumbai team will now be employees of Indo Thai Airport Services. These staff members will keep all their current pay and benefits, ensuring that personal livelihoods remain stable even as company names change.
– Employees will receive new airport entry permits under Indo Thai’s name so they can continue their work without trouble. - The ground handling equipment, which includes important machinery and vehicles, will now be leased from Celebi to Indo Thai, preventing any disruptions in airport services.
This approach helps keep airport operations running as smoothly as possible, despite a change in who is responsible.
Why Was Celebi’s Clearance Revoked?
The loss of Celebi’s clearance is not just a business matter. It is rooted in larger international disputes. According to several news reports, rising tensions between India and Turkey played a key role. During “Operation Sindoor,” which was India’s response to terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, it was reported that Turkey openly supported Pakistan, including providing drones to Pakistan between May 7 and May 10.
Because of these links and security concerns, Indian officials decided it was best to remove Celebi from such a critical part of airport work. While Celebi had been a ground handling player in India for over 15 years, employing 10,000 people across major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, national security was judged to be the greater priority.
Celebi is not taking this move lightly. The company has taken the matter to the Delhi High Court, challenging what it calls a “vague” national security reason for the decision.
Keeping the Airport Running: How the Transition Is Being Managed
When such a big change happens at an airport, there is a real risk that services could be delayed or even stopped for a while. However, this has not happened at Mumbai Airport. MIAL, Indo Thai Airport Services, and all the airlines have held joint meetings from the start. This planning aims to keep all logistics working and to make sure passengers do not face problems because of the internal shuffle.
Here’s a look at what’s being done to keep things smooth:
- Celebi’s 3,000 workers are moving straight into Indo Thai Airport Services so there are no gaps in staffing or skill sets.
- Important equipment used day-to-day has been leased rather than replaced, helping prevent problems with new training or delayed baggage.
- Airlines are getting regular updates and are being given a chance to raise concerns in direct meetings with both MIAL and Indo Thai.
From the outside, travelers are unlikely to see any difference when passing through Mumbai Airport over the next three months.
What’s Next? The Search for a Long-Term Partner
Mumbai International Airport isn’t making these changes permanent—at least not yet. Within the next three days, MIAL plans to invite bids from other companies to find a new, long-term ground handling provider. This process, called a Request for Proposal (RFP), is common in large projects but usually takes several months. Here, the aim is to have a long-term partner chosen within three months, so another major shift may come by August 2025.
Interestingly, Mumbai Airport is the only one among the nine airports that were run by Celebi to name a new third-party operator (Indo Thai) after Celebi’s exit. In other airports like Delhi, Celebi’s roles have been split up between the two firms already in place, rather than bringing in someone new. According to the Indian government’s rules, airports that handle more than 10 million passengers a year must use at least three ground handling agencies. This policy is supposed to keep competition fair and services reliable.
Wider Immigration and Industry Impacts
Changes like this do not only affect companies—they impact real people and the wider travel community. Here’s how:
- For Staff: Workers were at risk of losing jobs, but with the direct handover to Indo Thai Airport Services, they keep their work and benefits. This helps maintain stability for thousands of families who depend on these jobs.
- For Airlines: Sudden changes in airport operations can cause problems, but the careful transition planning has helped avoid delays or service drops, supporting airlines’ tight schedules and commitments.
- For Passengers: As services and baggage handling have stayed smooth, the impact on those traveling through Mumbai Airport has so far been minimal.
- For Other Airports: Mumbai’s choice to bring in a third company stands out. Elsewhere, Celebi’s roles were simply split among other providers, showing that large airports often try different ways to solve similar problems.
Looking Back: Celebi’s History in India
Celebi started working in India over 15 years ago. The firm became one of the leading names in ground handling, operating at critical hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. With about 10,000 employees across the country, Celebi was a major job provider in aviation.
But despite its long presence and large workforce, Celebi has been caught up in international politics. The revocation of its security clearance is the latest chapter in how global conflicts can deeply affect business operations—including those that seem far removed from military or political issues.
Facing Courts: Celebi’s Challenge
With so much at stake, Celebi is not stepping away quietly. After the BCAS took its security clearance, Celebi sued the government in Delhi High Court. The firm’s main claim is that the government’s explanation for the revocation—“national security”—is too vague.
The outcome of this legal challenge could set important rules for how future clearances are handled, especially when international tensions are involved. If Celebi wins, it may return to Indian airports. If the court sides with the government, Celebi and similar companies from countries seen as “hostile” might find it harder to do business in India.
The Indian Government’s Approach
By revoking Celebi’s clearance based on national security, Indian authorities are sending a strong message: airport safety and sovereignty are non-negotiable. Every person and company working in a sensitive area like ground handling must keep up with not just service standards but also political expectations.
These kinds of decisions also remind global firms that their roles in India depend on both business performance and the current state of international relations. While rules about hiring, contracts, and security are always important, sometimes larger political considerations can change the whole picture overnight.
How Other Airports Are Handling Things
While Mumbai Airport quickly brought in Indo Thai Airport Services after Celebi’s exit, other major airports took a different path. Airports like Delhi simply spread out Celebi’s business to their existing ground handling agencies. This follows government policy—they want at least three separate ground handlers in big airports handling more than 10 million passengers each year. The hope is that this will keep quality high and give customers and airlines more choices.
For readers interested in how India regulates ground handling, official details can be found on the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s website.
Ensuring a Seamless Experience for Travelers
From a traveler’s point of view, having stable ground handling operations means fewer worries. Baggage moves quickly, airplanes are cleaned and refueled, and flights stick to their scheduled times. The careful plans made by MIAL, Indo Thai Airport Services, and other involved parties are aimed at making everything look and feel “normal” for passengers—no matter what is happening behind the scenes.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term: What to Expect
Change is certain at Mumbai Airport over the next months. Indo Thai Airport Services is only the caretaker for ground handling right now, but with experience at nine other Indian airports, the firm is well placed to take on the challenge. When the long-term RFP process is finished—which must be done in three months—a new company may come in, or Indo Thai could extend its stay if it wins the bid.
For the 3,000 employees affected, job security seems strong, at least for the next several months. For airlines and passengers, all eyes will be on how well Indo Thai can keep up the high levels of service expected at India’s second-busiest airport.
Closing Thoughts
Changes at Mumbai Airport after Celebi’s departure show just how important national security and international politics are in the aviation world today. Even experienced firms with large local workforces can find their contracts cancelled quickly when larger concerns come into play. But thanks to quick planning and cooperation, disruption has been minimal for now.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this situation is a reminder about how even daily airport routines are tied to world events. With a new partner to be finalized within months, and with Celebi’s case in court, the future of Mumbai Airport’s ground handling is likely to see more attention from industry watchers and everyday travelers alike.
In the meantime, the focus remains on smooth operations—a goal that is shared by all the companies, staff, and oversight agencies involved. Travelers going through Mumbai Airport can expect services to run as usual, even as these important decisions are handled behind the scenes.
Learn Today
Ground Handling → Airport support services—including baggage, cargo, and aircraft assistance—necessary for planes and flights to operate efficiently.
Security Clearance → Official government authorization allowing companies or individuals to access and operate in secure airport areas.
Request for Proposal (RFP) → A process in which companies submit bids to provide services, usually for long-term or large-scale contracts.
BCAS → Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, India’s authority for airport and aviation security policies, clearances, and oversight.
National Security → A country’s effort to protect its interests, infrastructure, and citizens from threats, often used to justify sensitive policy decisions.
This Article in a Nutshell
Mumbai Airport’s sudden shift in ground handlers highlights the powerful impact of global politics on everyday travel. As Celebi exits over security concerns, Indo Thai Airport Services steps in temporarily, preserving jobs and stability. This transition, carefully managed, underscores how aviation services depend on both international relations and operational expertise.
— By VisaVerge.com
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