Adani Airports End DragonPass Partnership Over Security Concerns

Adani Terminates DragonPass Deal Just Days After Launch

In a swift reversal, Adani Airport Holdings has ended its newly formed partnership with Chinese travel lounge aggregator DragonPass, citing national security risks. The termination affects lounge access at Adani-managed airports across India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Guwahati.

DragonPass users will no longer be able to access airport lounges operated by Adani. However, Adani clarified that regular lounge operations and services will continue for travellers using alternative access programs.

Why Was DragonPass Dropped?

The decision is part of India’s broader push to secure its critical infrastructure from foreign influence, particularly from countries under increased scrutiny.

After recent incidents such as the Pahalgam terror attack and rising geopolitical tensions, authorities have tightened oversight on Chinese and Turkish firms operating in strategic sectors like aviation.

DragonPass, though based in Guangzhou, China, had quietly built an extensive presence in India, partnering with lounges in over 30 cities, including high-traffic airports in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

What raised red flags were concerns over data access, including potential visibility into passenger movement and behavioural analytics data often embedded in backend lounge systems. Regulators feared possible surveillance or misuse of passenger data through Chinese-operated platforms.

Who Is Behind DragonPass?

DragonPass is led by Mark Ian Koch, a British national who also heads its UK-registered international arm. The company has positioned itself as a global player with over 10 million users and plans to expand access to 1,500 lounges worldwide by 2025.

Despite efforts to present a global image, its operational control and data integration links to China proved problematic in the current geopolitical climate.

This decision mirrors the government’s move to revoke security clearance for Turkish ground handling firm Celebi Airport Services, reinforcing India’s intention to limit foreign control in sensitive aviation operations.

Will Travellers Be Affected?

For most Indian flyers and B2B travel professionals, the impact will be minimal. Key players like DreamFolks and Priority Pass continue to dominate the lounge access market in India. These platforms are still accepted across nearly all major Indian airports and are backed by Indian and global banks.

Additionally, premium Indian credit cards offering lounge access benefits are not impacted by this change.

That said, credit cards that previously enabled lounge entry via DragonPass integrations may lose that functionality unless supported by an alternative aggregator.

What This Means for B2B Travel Agents

For agents and corporate travel planners, this development is a reminder to stay alert to regulatory shifts that could affect service delivery.

• Review lounge partnerships tied to client travel cards
• Inform frequent travellers about accepted alternatives (DreamFolks, Priority Pass)
• Monitor card providers for DragonPass updates or replacements

As India reinforces its aviation security framework, B2B agents must ensure seamless lounge experiences for clients without relying on unstable partnerships.

Final Thoughts

The Adani-DragonPass fallout is more than a corporate split—it signals a broader policy shift in India’s aviation governance, where national security now shapes commercial alliances.

Travel professionals must be proactive in updating clients and pivoting toward reliable, secure lounge access programs.

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