In a significant move impacting airport operations and international partnerships, Adani Airport Holdings has announced the immediate termination of its agreement with Chinese company DragonPass, just a week after the partnership was signed.
In an official statement released on May 15, Adani Airport Holdings said, “Our relationship with DragonPass, which provides access to airport lounges, has ended with immediate effect. DragonPass customers will no longer have access to lounges at Adani-managed airports. This change will not impact the airport lounge experience or other customer services.”
As a result, DragonPass members will no longer be able to access lounges at Adani-managed airports in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram. The development comes amid a broader shift in India’s approach to aviation-related security and foreign partnerships. On Thursday, the Indian government revoked the security clearance of Turkish airport ground handling company Celebi, based on a decision by the Civil Aviation Security Bureau.
Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd. had been managing freight terminal operations, while Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. was responsible for ground handling services at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. In response to the government's decision, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed the termination of contracts with both Celebi entities. “DIAL has formally ended its association with Celebi for cargo operations,” the company stated.
The back-to-back developments reflect heightened scrutiny over foreign involvement in critical airport infrastructure and services in India, signaling a possible realignment of operational priorities with a stronger focus on national security.