IndiGo should scrap Turkish Airlines deal

Petition urges court to restrain Mumbai airport authorities from appointing new ground-handling services company

- Yogesh Naik

MUMBAI: The Indian subsidiary of Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi Aviation Holding on Wednesday approached the Bombay high court to challenge the Indian government's revocation of its security clearance, which resulted in the termination of its agreement at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

Celebi Nas Airport Services India has filed an arbitration petition urging the court to issue directions to restrain the airport authorities from appointing a new company in its place.

The petition was filed days after the Adani Group-led Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), which operates CSMIA, terminated its agreement with Celebi and appointed Kolkata-based firm Indo Thai Airport Services on a temporary basis for three months until it finalises a long-term partner.

CSMIA was among several airports across the country that terminated their agreements with Celebi earlier this month. This was after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India's top aviation security regulator, revoked the Turkish firm's security clearance, effectively barring it from continuing its operations in Indian airports.

The decision, according to BCAS, was taken in view of "national interests".