Çelebi Aviation has commenced ground handling services for Turkish Airlines at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) under a new partnership that officially took effect on August 1, 2026, strengthening both companies’ presence in Kenya’s aviation sector.
Under the agreement, Çelebi Aviation will provide comprehensive ground handling services for Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul–Nairobi–Istanbul operations, including passenger services, ramp operations, aircraft turnaround coordination, baggage handling and other essential airport support services. Turkish Airlines currently operates seven weekly flights on the route, amounting to approximately 365 flights annually and serving an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 passengers each year.
The partnership also comes as both companies position themselves for future growth driven by the planned expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which aims to increase annual passenger capacity from 7.5 million to 22 million, creating opportunities for increased airline operations and improved passenger services.
“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,” said Atilla Korkmazoğlu, President of Ground Handling & Cargo, EMEA at Çelebi Aviation.
The agreement further strengthens Çelebi Aviation Kenya’s footprint at JKIA, where the company already provides services to several international carriers, including British Airways, Emirates SkyCargo, Network Airlines and Astral Aviation, reinforcing its role in supporting the growth of Kenya’s aviation industry.
