NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 4 – Turkish ground handling company Çelebi Aviation has expanded its operations in Kenya after securing a contract to provide ground handling services for Turkish Airlines at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The agreement, which took effect on August 1, will see Çelebi Aviation handle passenger services, ramp operations, aircraft turnaround coordination, baggage handling and other ground support services for Turkish Airlines’ daily Istanbul–Nairobi flights.
The company said the operation will cover seven weekly flights, translating to about 365 flights annually, with an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 passengers expected to be served each year.
The latest partnership adds Turkish Airlines to Çelebi Aviation Kenya’s portfolio of airline customers, which already includes British Airways, Emirates SkyCargo, Network Airlines and Astral Aviation, as competition among ground handling providers intensifies alongside growing passenger and cargo traffic at JKIA.
The expansion comes as Kenya continues to position Nairobi as a regional aviation and logistics gateway linking Africa with Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Ongoing infrastructure upgrades at JKIA are expected to significantly increase the airport’s passenger handling capacity over the coming years.
“Our collaboration with Turkish Airlines clearly demonstrates the operational maturity of Çelebi Aviation Kenya and the trust we have built with leading international airlines,” said Atilla Korkmazoğlu, President of Ground Handling and Cargo, EMEA at Çelebi Aviation.
“We are pleased to support Turkish Airlines’ operations in Nairobi and believe this partnership will create long-term value for both organisations.”
Beyond passenger services, Çelebi Aviation said its Kenyan operations adhere to internationally recognized quality and safety standards, including certifications covering quality management, ground operations and pharmaceutical cargo handling.
The company has also invested in electric ground support equipment as part of efforts to reduce emissions associated with airport ground operations, aligning with broader sustainability targets within the global aviation industry.
