Celebi Aviation has wholly acquired Transglobal Cargo Centre Ltd (AFS) to launch its entry into the Kenyan market.
The deal worth USD 40.1 million was announced on April 24, 2026 and is in line with Çelebi’s international growth strategy and is expected to increase synergies among group companies.
AFS office at the JKIA provides ground handling, air-cargo and warehousing services.
JKIA handles approximately 20% of Kenya’s annual air-cargo volume of 400,000 tonnes.
With this transaction, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi becomes an integral part of Çelebi Aviation’s global network, further strengthening the Group’s presence in one of Africa’s most dynamic and strategically important aviation markets.
The freight handler has been in operation for the last 65 years after its founding in 1958 as Turkey’s first privately-owned ground handling services company.
It currently provides ground handling and cargo services to over 400 airline customers across three continents, with operations spread across Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Tanzania and Türkiye.
The acquisition of AFS marks the Group’s first operation in Kenya and the second on the continent, an important step in its long-term growth strategy in Africa.
Celebi Aviation CEO Dave Dorner reckons that Kenya will form an important market that will create new opportunities for the company’s customers and partners that are seeking trade and cargo flows in East and Central Africa.
“By welcoming AFS into the Çelebi Our aim is to combine AFS’s strong local expertise with Çelebi’s global experience, modern systems and operational standards to support Kenya’s ambitions as a regional trade and logistics hub.”
The Kenyan aviation market is forecast to grow at an average rate of 5% per year over the next five years, significantly outpacing the International Air Transport Association’s projected global average of 3.3%.
The company underlined that all existing operational commitments and service levels will continue to be honoured, and that any future changes to processes or infrastructure will be implemented in coordination with customers and the relevant authorities.
