Çelebi Aviation will begin providing ground handling services to Turkish Airlines at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi starting 1 August 2026, under a new agreement that expands the company’s presence in Kenya.
The contract covers Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul–Nairobi–Istanbul flights, operating seven times a week for around 365 flights annually. Çelebi Aviation Kenya will handle passenger services, ramp operations, turnaround coordination and baggage handling, serving an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 passengers a year.
Çelebi Aviation, founded in 1958, has more than 65 years of experience across three continents and already serves carriers in Kenya including British Airways, Emirates SkyCargo, Network Airlines and Astral Aviation. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, ISAGO and GDP certifications and uses electric ground support equipment (e-GSE) as part of its sustainability program.
The deal comes as JKIA undergoes modernization aimed at raising its annual passenger capacity from 7.5 million to 22 million, strengthening Nairobi’s role as a gateway between Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Atilla Korkmazoğlu, President of Ground Handling & Cargo, EMEA at Çelebi Aviation, called the partnership a milestone in the company’s growth strategy across Africa and said it reflects the trust international airlines place in Çelebi Aviation Kenya’s operations.
