Ilker Ayci declines role of Air India CEO

Days after the announcement of his appointment led to opposition in India, Turkey’s Ilker Ayci has declined to be the chief executive officer (CEO) of Tata Group’s Air India. Last month, Tata Sons, which recently took over debt-laden Air India, had announced the appointment of the former Chairman of Turkish Airlines Ayci as the CEO and MD of Air India.

Air India was handed back to its founders, the Tata group, in January, almost seven decades after it was nationalis, capping years of struggle by the government to sell the struggling airline. It was a homecoming for Air India which began operations as Tata Air Services in 1932, before it was nationalized in 1953. Ayci was said to assume his new responsibilities on or before April 1 this year. The statement had added that his appointment to the new position was subject to requisite regulatory approvals.

Ayci, who is 51 years old, is an alumni of Turkey’s Bilkent University, and the UK’s Leeds University. He also holds an International Relations Master’s degree from Turkey’s Marmara University. Ayci has held senior positions in several companies, including Gunes Ekspres Havacilik AS that operates Turkish-German airline SunExpress, and Turkish insurance provider Gunes Sigorta Insurance Co, among others. He stepped down from his Turkish Airlines post in January.