Mumbai: In a significant development at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the government has signed an agreement with airport ground handling company Indothai to take over the staff and assets of Turkish ground handling giant Celebi, Financial Express reported.

This move follows the revocation of security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. by India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

Indothai has received the necessary approval from BCAS to operate ground handling services at Mumbai Airport, paving the way for a smooth transition of responsibilities.

The shift in operations is aimed at maintaining uninterrupted airport services and security compliance.

Nearly 3,000 employees of Celebi working at Mumbai Airport will be transferred to Indothai’s payroll as part of this transition.

These employees are engaged in various critical functions such as passenger handling, cargo management, load control, warehouse operations, and bridge services.

New airport entry permits for these staff members will be issued under Indothai’s name, ensuring that all regulatory and security protocols are met without disruption.

This transfer is a major step to safeguard operational continuity while aligning with India’s national security requirements.

Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd., a Turkish firm, has been a major player in India’s ground handling sector, managing approximately 70% of ground operations at Mumbai Airport.

The company’s services cover a broad spectrum of ground support activities, including passenger services and cargo handling.

Over the past decade, Celebi expanded its footprint to nine major Indian airports such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur.

The company handles around 58,000 flights and approximately 540,000 tonnes of cargo annually across the country.

However, the Indian government’s decision to revoke Celebi’s security clearance at Mumbai Airport has resulted in the transfer of operations to Indothai, signaling a tightening of security protocols in the aviation sector.

Indothai, headquartered in Kolkata, is a leading ground handling service provider in India, known for delivering world-class services with strong commitment since its inception in 2010.

It initially began with a concession agreement from the Airport Authority of India, focusing on northern region airports, and has grown steadily to become a trusted name in airport ground services.