Çelebi Aviation has started ground handling services to Turkish Airlines at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on 1 August 2026 under a new agreement between the two companies.
Covering Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul–Nairobi–Istanbul operation, the service includes seven weekly flights and approximately 365 flights annually. Çelebi expects to handle between 75,000 and 80,000 passengers a year through the agreement.
Its responsibilities extend across passenger services, ramp operations, aircraft turnaround coordination, baggage services and other ground handling processes supporting the airline’s Nairobi operation.
Commenting on the agreement, Atilla Korkmazoğlu, President of Ground Handling and Cargo, EMEA at Çelebi Aviation, said: “Our collaboration with Turkish Airlines clearly demonstrates the operational maturity of Çelebi Aviation Kenya and the trust we have built with leading international airlines. We are pleased to support Turkish Airlines’ operations in Nairobi and believe this partnership will create long-term value for both organisations.
“Together with the ongoing modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, we believe that the aviation ecosystem in the region will continue to grow stronger. 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. 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.”
Çelebi Aviation Kenya already provides services to airlines operating in different market segments, including British Airways, Emirates SkyCargo, Network Airlines and Astral Aviation.
According to Çelebi, the Kenya Airports Authority’s modernisation plans for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport envisage increasing annual passenger capacity from 7.5 million to 22 million.
Çelebi Aviation Kenya holds ISO 9001:2015, ISAGO and Good Distribution Practice certifications. The latter supports the handling of pharmaceutical and temperature-controlled cargo.
Electric ground support equipment is also being used in the company’s operation at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to reduce its operational environmental impact.
