The Madras High Court has directed that Chennai Airport can only proceed with the appointment of a new ground handling service provider through a public and transparent tendering process. This directive comes in the wake of the termination of the existing contractor, Celebi Ground Handling, whose services were suspended amid pending legal challenges regarding security clearance issues. In its ruling on Monday, the court made it clear that the integrity of airport operations, particularly ground handling services, cannot be compromised. Acknowledging the critical importance of uninterrupted ground handling for the safe and efficient functioning of airport activities, the bench underlined that continuity must be ensured without undermining transparency and legal compliance.
This conditional clause is seen as a safeguard against prejudging the legal merits of the ongoing case. At the same time, it addresses the operational needs of the airport, balancing legal due process with the demands of a public utility that caters to thousands of passengers daily. The court’s provision for supervised inventory-taking reflects a layered approach to procedural justice, enhancing accountability during a sensitive transition phase. Experts pointed out that the ruling aligns with larger policy narratives on sustainability and ethical business practices. With increasing scrutiny of private players in public infrastructure projects, the court’s stand affirms that government agencies must exercise discretion not just efficiently, but equitably and in compliance with constitutional values.
The High Court’s directive marks a pivotal moment in the governance of Chennai Airport. By mandating a transparent and conditional tendering process for ground handling services, it upholds the principles of legal accountability, operational continuity, and fair competition. As the AAI proceeds under judicial watch, the emphasis on procedural integrity serves as a timely reminder that infrastructure partnerships must be forged within the framework of open governance and legal propriety. Whether this leads to the reinstatement of Celebi or the appointment of a new player, the court has ensured that the outcome will be guided not by expediency but by justice and transparency.
