BJP workers protest outside a Turkish confectionery on Friday

MUMBAI: Within 24 hours of Celebi’s exit from the ground handling scene, the Mumbai airport operator appointed an interim service provider to ensure airlines and passengers are not affected.Celebi’s ground handling equipment will be leased by this company, and its employees will be transferred to this interim service provider to ensure continuity of service, said Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) Friday.On Thursday, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), citing national security concerns, revoked the security clearance granted to Celebi Airport Services, a ground handling company headquartered in Turkey. The action came following Turkey’s support of Pakistan in recent hostilities. The order, enforced with immediate effect, would have meant airlines that had given ground handling contracts to Celebi would be hit with flight delays.Ground handling companies carry out security-sensitive jobs such as loading/unloading of bags, cargo, cleaning aircraft, fuelling and check-in. The govt announced arrangements have been made at affected airports to ensure seamless handling of passengers and cargo.Following the Celebi order, Mumbai airport operator said it held a meeting with affected airlines. “Indo Thai Airport Services—a certified ground handler currently operating at nine airports across India— has been appointed as the interim ground handling provider at the Mumbai airport for the next three months, effective immediately. Indo Thai Airport Services will work with Mumbai International Airport Ltd to provide the highest level of service aimed at meeting the existing Service Level Agreements and conditions,” said an MIAL spokesperson.“The operator will facilitate transfer of all existing employees of Celebi NAS at Mumbai airport to Indo Thai Airport Services on their existing terms and conditions of employment, thus ensuring no loss of employment and continued service delivery to airline partners. All ground handling equipment owned by Celebi NAS will be leased by Indo Thai Airport Services in order to maintain continuity of service… Within next three days, MIAL will initiate the Request for Proposal process for onboarding a long-term ground handling partner.This partner will be onboarded in next three months,” MIAL said.