Ilker Ayci, the former CEO of Turkish Airlines, rejected to take over as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Air India two weeks after being appointed.
The nomination of a Turkish person with ties to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoan as Air India’s CEO had aroused some eyebrows. Tata Group, a salt-to-software conglomerate, announced last month that former Turkish Airlines CEO Ilker Ayc would take over as CEO of Air India on April 1.
The important appointment was made at a board meeting of Air India last month, when Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran was a special invitee. Regulatory permissions would be required for Ayci’s appointment.
“Ilker is a Turkish Airlines executive who oversaw the company’s present success throughout his time there. We are delighted to welcome Ayci to the Tata Group, where he will lead Air India into the next phase of its development “Chandrasekaran stated.
Ayci expressed his happiness and honour at the appointment, saying he is “delighted and honoured to embrace the privilege of managing a famous airline and to join the Tata Group,” which just purchased the country’s flag carrier.
However, only a few weeks after his appointment, he turned down the position of CEO of Air India.
