The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing an €10 million loan to Türkiye’s Çelebi Ground Handling to finance the purchase of electric ground support equipment at 18 airports in the country. This is the first EBRD loan to support a dedicated ground handling service provider in one of the countries where the EBRD operates.
The loan will allow the company not only to purchase new equipment but also to electrify existing conventional equipment at 10 airports in Türkiye: Ankara, Antalya, Balıkesir, Bodrum, Çukurova, Dalaman, Istanbul, İzmir, Sabiha Gökçen and Trabzon.
Ground handling services are an integral part of the aviation system and can play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of the aviation sector.
Çelebi will also work with the EBRD to advance its corporate climate governance practices in line with Turkish sustainability reporting standards and beyond.
In addition to its strong green credentials, the project will also increase Çelebi’s competitiveness as it will reduce expenditure and enable cost savings. The project will also promote gender equality to improve corporate climate policies and increase female representation in climate leadership and management roles.
Founded in 1958, Çelebi is a global leader in aviation services, offering comprehensive ground handling, cargo and warehouse management services. It operates 70 stations in six countries worldwide (Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Tanzania and Turkey). Çelebi employs more than 15.000 people and serves more than 400 airline customers.
Şule Kılıç, Vice President of EBRD Turkey, said: “We are proud to partner with Çelebi to support the transition to electric ground support equipment, reduce carbon emissions and set a new standard for sustainable airport operations. This initiative is not only aligned with global climate goals, but also demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can lead to a greener future in aviation.”
Dave Dorner, Group CEO of Çelebi Aviation, said: “As a company committed to sustainability and operational excellence, we are excited to partner with the EBRD on this transformative initiative. Investing in electric ground support equipment is a critical step in reducing our environmental footprint while increasing efficiency in our operations. This partnership not only supports our long-term commitment to innovation and responsible aviation services, but also strengthens our sustainability roadmap. We appreciate the EBRD’s collaboration in driving this green transformation; it will contribute significantly to reducing emissions and promoting more energy-efficient airport operations.”
Ali Aköz, CFO of Çelebi Aviation, said: “Our newly established green financing framework, together with the €18 million loan we received from the EBRD, represents an important milestone in our journey towards more sustainable and cost-effective airport operations. The transition to electric ground support equipment not only supports our sustainability goals, but also optimizes our cost structure by reducing fuel and maintenance costs. We would like to express our gratitude to the EBRD for their support and willingness to cooperate on this project; this cooperation is a positive step for both our company and the environment. The income from this loan will enable Çelebi to reduce energy losses and prevent approximately 960 tons of carbon emissions per year.”
The EBRD is one of Türkiye's most important investors, having invested more than €2009 billion in the country since 478 through 22 projects and trade finance lines, mostly in the private sector.
