“Our collaboration with Turkish Airlines clearly demonstrates the operational maturity of Çelebi Aviation Kenya and the trust we have built with leading international airlines.” That’s how Atilla Korkmazoğlu, President of Ground Handling & Cargo for EMEA at Çelebi Aviation, characterized the company’s newly signed agreement to provide ground handling services to Turkish Airlines at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
The arrangement takes effect on 1 August 2026 and covers Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul–Nairobi–Istanbul route seven flights weekly, roughly 365 a year with Çelebi Aviation Kenya handling passenger services, ramp operations, turnaround coordination and baggage handling for an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 passengers annually.
Korkmazoğlu framed the deal as more than a single contract win. “We see this collaboration not only as an important step for our Kenya operations, but also as a key milestone in our long-term growth strategy across Africa,” he said, pointing to the parallel modernization of JKIA as a sign of a strengthening regional aviation ecosystem. “With our robust operational infrastructure, international standards and sustainable service approach, we will continue to provide high-quality and reliable ground handling services to Turkish Airlines.”
The agreement extends a Kenyan operation that already serves airlines including British Airways, Emirates SkyCargo, Network Airlines and Astral Aviation. Çelebi Aviation brings more than 65 years of global aviation experience and operations spanning three continents to the partnership, alongside certifications including ISO 9001:2015, ISAGO and GDP the last of which supports the safe handling of pharmaceutical and temperature-controlled cargo.
Sustainability featured in Korkmazoğlu’s remarks as well, with the company’s use of electric ground support equipment (e-GSE) at JKIA cited as part of its contribution to the aviation industry’s environmental goals.
The backdrop to the announcement is JKIA’s own transformation: under Kenya Airports Authority modernization plans, the airport’s passenger capacity is set to rise from 7.5 million to 22 million annually, reinforcing Nairobi’s position as a strategic gateway linking Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
About Çelebi Aviation: Founded in 1958, Çelebi Aviation delivers ground handling, cargo and warehouse management services to more than 400 airline customers worldwide, with over 65 years of experience across three continents.
