Adani Ends Partnership with Turkish Firm Celebi at Airports
In a sudden move, Adani Airport Holdings has terminated its partnership with Celebi, a Turkish ground handling firm, at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports. The decision comes after the Indian government revoked Celebi’s security clearance over national security concerns. Celebi has denied any links to the Turkish government, stating that it is majority-owned by global investors.
Celebi, a leading ground handling services provider, had been operating at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) through a partnership with Adani Airport Holdings. The partnership, which began in 2019, aimed to provide high-quality ground handling services to passengers and airlines.
However, the Indian government revoked Celebi’s security clearance, citing national security concerns. The exact reasons behind the decision are still unclear, but industry experts speculate that it may be related to Turkey’s alleged ties with Pakistan, a neighboring country that has been accused of sponsoring terrorism.
Celebi has refused to comment on the matter, but in a statement, the company denied any links to the Turkish government. “Celebi is a global company with majority ownership from international investors, and we do not have any connection to the Turkish government,” the statement read.
In a bid to maintain service standards, Adani Airport Holdings has transferred Celebi’s staff to new agencies that will take over the ground handling services at both airports. “We have ensured a seamless transition and have transferred all Celebi staff to new agencies to maintain the highest level of service standards,” said an Adani Airport Holdings spokesperson.
The decision to terminate the partnership has raised concerns about the impact on airport operations. However, industry experts believe that the transition will be relatively smooth, given Adani’s experience in managing airports.
“Celebi’s departure will not affect airport operations significantly, as Adani has a strong team in place to manage the airports,” said a industry expert, who wished to remain anonymous. “The company has a reputation for ensuring smooth operations, and I am confident that they will maintain the same standards even after Celebi’s departure.”
The move has also raised questions about the Indian government’s stance on Turkish companies operating in the country. Celebi is not the only Turkish firm to have faced scrutiny in India, with several other companies facing similar issues in recent years.
The Indian government has been increasingly vocal about its concerns over Turkish companies operating in the country, citing national security concerns. In 2020, the government revoked the security clearance of several Turkish companies, including Celebi, citing concerns over their alleged links to the Turkish government.
The decision to terminate the partnership with Celebi is seen as a significant blow to the company’s operations in India. Celebi had been expanding its presence in India, with plans to operate at several other airports in the country.
The company had also been investing heavily in its Indian operations, with plans to upgrade its infrastructure and increase its staff strength. However, the revocation of its security clearance has put a question mark over Celebi’s future plans in India.
In conclusion, the termination of Adani’s partnership with Celebi at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports is a significant development in the Indian aviation sector. While the exact reasons behind the decision are still unclear, industry experts believe that the transition will be relatively smooth, given Adani’s experience in managing airports.
The move has also raised questions about the Indian government’s stance on Turkish companies operating in the country, with several other companies facing similar issues in recent years. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Celebi will respond to the revocation of its security clearance and what implications it will have for the company’s operations in India.
Source: https://thecsrjournal.in/adani-ends-turkish-firm-celebi-partnership-mumbai-ahmedabad-airports/
