Tata Sons – the new owner of Air India has announced the appoint of Ilker Ayci as the new Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of India’s flag carries. Ilker Ayci was chairman of Turkish Airlines since 2015, and his resignation from the post was announced by the airline on January 27 this year — the same day the Centre handed over Air India to the Tatas.
In a statement, Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran said: “We are delighted to welcome Ilker to the Tata Group where he will lead Air India into the new era.”
“Ilker is an aviation industry leader who led Turkish Airlines to its current success during his tenure there. We are delighted to welcome Ilker to the Tata Group where he would lead Air India into the new era,” says Chandrasekaran.
Speaking over the appointment, Ayci said, “I am delighted and honoured to accept the privilege of leading an iconic airline and to join the Tata Group.”
“Working closely with my colleagues at Air India and the leadership of the Tata Group, we will utilize the strong heritage of Air India to make it one of the best airlines in the world with a uniquely superior flying experience that reflects Indian warmth and hospitality,” he added.
Born in Istanbul, Ayci is a1994 alumni of Bilkent University’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration. After a research stay in political science at the Leeds University in the UK in 1995, he completed an International Relations Master’s programme at the Marmara University in Istanbul in 1997.
