India has severed key airport partnerships with Turkish and Chinese companies following escalating geopolitical tensions between India, China, and Turkey. The move comes in the wake of Turkey and Azerbaijan condemning India’s airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, conducted in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 Indian tourists. The fallout is reshaping both India’s aviation strategy and foreign relations.

Turkish Ground Handler Celebi Ousted from Major Indian Airports

The Indian government revoked the security clearance of Turkey-based Celebi Aviation, which provided ground handling services at key airports including New Delhi, Kerala, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Goa. Officials cited the interest of national security as the reason for the termination.

 

Soon after, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced its association with the company officially ended. In response, Celebi filed a lawsuit against India the following day.

 

Operations at Mumbai and Delhi airports were quickly handed over to Indian companies IndoThai, AISATS, and Bird Group, ensuring business continuity. The swift transition highlights a growing emphasis on localizing critical components of airport infrastructure in India.

Photo by Siddhesh Mangela on Unsplash

Adani Airports Ends Lounge Access Deal with China’s DragonPass

On the same day, Adani Airports Holdings terminated its new partnership with DragonPass, a Chinese lounge access company, just one week after it began. A spokesperson confirmed that the termination was immediate, and DragonPass members lost access to lounges at all seven Adani-managed airports across India.

This move signals India’s broader effort to drop Chinese companies from vital transport and infrastructure roles. It also underscores rising discomfort in India-Turkey-China relations, especially after Turkey and Azerbaijan publicly criticized India’s military actions.

IndiGo’s Turkish Airlines Lease Under Government Review

The tension has reached commercial aviation as well. A Reuters report claimed Air India was lobbying the government to end IndiGo’s leasing agreement with Turkish Airlines, though Air India has denied the allegation.

IndiGo currently operates two Turkish aircraft with crew on flights from New Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul. The airline has defended the partnership, citing benefits such as job creation, traveler convenience, and aviation sector growth.

The lease agreement is valid until May 31, but NDTV Profit reports the government is unlikely to renew it. The deal is currently under review.

India’s recent actions reflect a firm shift toward national control of strategic services. From canceling foreign lounge access to removing Turkish ground handlers, these decisions mark a turning point in how Indian airport partnerships are managed amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between India, China, and Turkey.

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*Banner photo by Bornil Amin on Unsplash