HC lifts stay, MIAL can pick Turkiye co arm’s replacement

Mumbai: In a relief for Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), Bombay HC on Wednesday lifted its interim stay on finalising tenders to replace an Indian subsidiary of Celebi, a Turkiye-based airport ground handling services major. Citing national security concerns, Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety (BCAS) had in May revoked Celebi's clearance amid backlash over Turkiye's support for Pakistan during hostilities. The firm moved HC seeking suspension and annulment of the security clearance's cancellation. A similar plea was moved in Delhi HC, which ruled against the firm. In May, HC restrained Adani-led MIAL from making a final decision on bids invited that month to replace Celebi's Indian arm for ground and bridge handling services. The relief continued till Wednesday. The lifting of the stay has paved the way for MIAL to proceed with finalising new ground service handlers. After hearing senior counsel Vikram Nankani for MIAL and Chetan Kapadia for Celebi, HC observed that with Delhi HC upholding the revocation, preventing MIAL from finalising Celebi's replacement would no longer be tenable. The firm worked for nearly a decade and said its equipment was on the ground. Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan dismissed Celebi's arbitration plea and said claims, if any, can be pursued separately. The firm filed two petitions for two contracts to also challenge the consequential termination. The revocation order meant airlines that had given ground handling contracts to Celebi would face flight delays. Ground handling companies carry out security-sensitive jobs like loading and unloading of bags, cargo, cleaning aircraft, fuelling and passenger check-in. Govt worked with airport operators and appointed ground handling companies on an interim basis. At Mumbai airport, for instance, Indo Thai Airport Services—a certified ground handler operating at nine airports across India —was appointed within 24 hours of the BCAS order.