Çelebi Aviation, a global airport services provider, is expanding its footprint in Kenya after securing a ground handling agreement with Turkish Airlines at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, reinforcing its long-term growth strategy across Africa.

The partnership will see the global airport services company provide comprehensive ground handling services for Turkish Airlines, adding another major international carrier to its growing customer portfolio in Kenya.

The agreement marks another milestone for Çelebi Aviation Kenya, which already serves leading airlines including British Airways, Emirates SkyCargo, Network Airlines and Astral Aviation. The addition of Turkish Airlines further strengthens the company’s position in one of Africa’s busiest and fastest-growing aviation markets.

Supporting Nairobi’s growing aviation market

Nairobi has become one of East Africa’s most important aviation gateways, connecting Africa with Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Its expanding role in trade, tourism and cargo transportation continues to attract international airlines and aviation service providers.

The partnership comes as the Kenya Airports Authority advances modernization projects at JKIA, with plans to increase annual passenger capacity from 7.5 million to 22 million, creating new opportunities for airlines and airport service companies.

Çelebi Aviation said its experienced operational teams, advanced ground support equipment and coordinated service model will help ensure safe, efficient and reliable operations for Turkish Airlines in Nairobi.

“Our collaboration with Turkish Airlines clearly demonstrates the operational maturity of Çelebi Aviation Kenya and the trust we have built with leading international airlines,” said Atilla Korkmazoğlu, President of Ground Handling & Cargo, EMEA at Çelebi Aviation.

“We are pleased to support Turkish Airlines’ operations in Nairobi and believe this partnership will create long-term value for both organizations.”

Global growth strategy

Founded in 1958, Çelebi Aviation has grown into one of the world’s leading aviation service providers, offering ground handling, cargo handling and warehouse management solutions.

The company operates at more than 60 airports across Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Kenya and Türkiye, serving approximately 400 airline customers. Backed by a workforce of about 9,000 employees, Çelebi Aviation delivers services from more than 60 stations across three continents.

As demand for air travel and cargo services continues to rise across emerging markets, the company is expanding its international presence while investing in operational efficiency, safety standards and customer service.

The Turkish Airlines partnership in Kenya represents another step in Çelebi Aviation’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Africa, where aviation infrastructure and passenger traffic are expected to grow steadily over the coming years.