Çelebi Aviation to Handle Turkish Airlines Operations at Nairobi’s JKIA
Çelebi Aviation has signed a new agreement with Turkish Airlines to provide ground handling services at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, effective 1 August 2026. The deal deepens Çelebi’s footprint in Kenya and marks another milestone in the company’s expansion across the African continent.
Under the agreement, Çelebi Aviation Kenya will support Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul–Nairobi–Istanbul route, covering passenger handling, ramp operations, aircraft turnaround coordination and baggage services. The route runs seven times a week roughly 365 flights a year and Çelebi expects to serve between 75,000 and 80,000 passengers annually as part of the contract.
With over 65 years in the aviation industry and a presence spanning three continents, Çelebi Aviation brings a broad service portfolio to the partnership. The company already handles ground operations in Kenya for a roster of international carriers, including British Airways, Emirates SkyCargo, Network Airlines and Astral Aviation, and this new contract strengthens its standing at one of East Africa’s busiest airports.
JKIA itself is undergoing significant change. As a key link between Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the airport is central to Nairobi’s status as a regional trade and connectivity hub. The Kenya Airports Authority’s modernization plans aim to lift the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 7.5 million to 22 million, positioning JKIA for a much larger role in global air travel.
Çelebi Aviation Kenya operates under internationally recognized quality frameworks, holding ISO 9001:2015 certification along with ISAGO and GDP accreditation the latter supporting safe handling of pharmaceutical and temperature-sensitive cargo. The company has also woven sustainability into its ground operations through the use of electric ground support equipment (e-GSE), reducing the environmental footprint of its work at the airport.
Atilla Korkmazoğlu, President of Ground Handling & Cargo for EMEA at Çelebi Aviation, described the agreement as evidence of the maturity Çelebi Kenya has reached and the confidence major airlines now place in the operation. He said the partnership is expected to deliver long-term value for both companies and framed it as part of Çelebi’s broader growth strategy across Africa, alongside JKIA’s ongoing modernization.
About Çelebi Aviation: Founded in 1958, Çelebi Aviation provides ground handling, cargo and warehouse management services worldwide. With more than 65 years of experience across three continents, the company serves over 400 airline customers and continues to invest in technology, training and international safety and quality standards.
