AIASL and Other Ground Handling Companies Onboard Celebi Staff Following Security Clearance Revocation

Several ground handling firms, including AIASL, Bird Worldwide Flight Services, and Indo Thai, are integrating Celebi Airport Services India's staff at various airports. New airport entry passes are being issued to these employees, according to industry executives. This follows the revocation of Celebi's security clearance due to national security concerns.

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The civil aviation ministry assured that arrangements are in place at all affected airports to ensure smooth passenger and cargo handling. Efforts are underway to retain Celebi's workforce, which numbers over 10,000 in India. AIASL, AISATS, Bird Worldwide Flight Services Pvt Ltd, and Indo Thai Airport Management Services Pvt Ltd are among those onboarding Celebi staff.

Security Clearance Revocation

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has set a deadline of May 19 for issuing new Airport Entry Passes (AEPs). These passes were initially issued under Celebi's name but are now being reissued under the names of the new employers. Celebi previously operated at nine airports, including Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad, and Chennai.

Airport operators will soon issue tenders to appoint new ground-handling service providers at the affected locations. AIASL manages around 560 flights daily across 85 airports with a workforce of approximately 20,000 employees. The company has absorbed hundreds of Celebi staff to maintain uninterrupted services at some airports previously served by Celebi.

Operational Adjustments

An executive mentioned that AIASL might deploy staff from other airports to ensure seamless operations at former Celebi-served locations. Mumbai airport operator MIAL announced that Indo Thai Airport Services will handle ground operations for three months. Meanwhile, Delhi airport operator DIAL has assigned tasks to a company with existing security clearance for cargo business.

GMR Airports Ltd (GAL) did not disclose details about this company in its regulatory filing. The transaction is related-party and conducted on an arm's length basis. Promoters or promoter groups have no interest beyond indirect shareholding in both DIAL and GAL.

Legal Action and Policy Implications

Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd has approached the Delhi High Court against BCAS's decision to revoke its security clearance on national security grounds. This decision follows Turkiye's support for Pakistan and condemnation of India's strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu emphasised that national interest and public safety are paramount. Poonam Verma Sengupta from JSA Advocates & Solicitors noted that terminating arrangements with Celebi reflects a broader policy shift towards prioritising self-defence and scrutinising foreign entities in sensitive sectors.

By reassessing these agreements, India aims to safeguard its aviation market while indicating that future access will depend on strategic balance, commercial fairness, and national interests.

With inputs from PTI