Bombay HC defers Celebi’s appeal against Mumbai Airport’s contract termination, awaits Delhi HC ruling  

Bombay High Court adjourns the hearing of the petition filed by Celebi. File

The Bombay High Court on Friday (June 13, 2025) has adjourned till July 10, 2025, the hearing of the petition filed by Celebi NAS Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, a Turkish-Indian joint venture providing ground handling services for airlines at various Indian airports, that has challenged the termination of its services by the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL). 

The firm that has been providing services at various Indian airports, has faced multiple legal battles in Mumbai, Delhi, Gujarat and Chennai. On Friday, a Division Bench of Justices B. P. Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla was informed that overall, seven airports in India have cancelled the services of the Turkish airlines services firm and its subsidiaries.   

Representing the Union government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted to the Bench that the Turkish aviation firm has already filed similar petitions in the Delhi High Court and the Madras High Court seeking relief. “The Delhi High Court has reserved its order after hearing extensive arguments from both sides. Thus, the Madras High Court has passed an order stating it will await the judgment of the Delhi High Court, since similarly worded arguments are made before Delhi High Court and its findings will have an impact on the issues in all the petitions,” Mr. Mehta told the judges and requested the Bench to consider passing a similar order and defer its proceedings until the Delhi High Court pronounces its verdict.  

Appearing for Celebi, senior advocate Chetan Kapadia, agreed with the Solicitor General’s submission.   

The Bench considered the request and noted that it will wait for the Delhi High Court’s verdict and adjourned the hearing till July 10, 2025.  

On May 26, 2025, the Bombay High Court restrained MIAL from finalising bids on May 17, to appoint a new agency and replace Çelebi’s subsidiary for ground and bridge handling services at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The High Court said that its order will operate until the matter is heard by a regular Bench after the vacation.  

Celebi moved the Bombay High Court after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, revoked its security clearance on the grounds of national security, amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey, particularly over Turkey’s stand in support of Pakistan during the Operation Sindoor. 

Celebi has filed three petitions, challenging the Centre’s decision to revoke the security clearance and contract termination by the MIAL, terming the termination “arbitrary” and “illegal”.