Tata group appoints ex-Turkish Airlines chief Ilker Ayci as Air India CEO & MD
PremiumAyci will assume responsibilities at Air India on or before 1 April 2022
NEW DELHI : Tata group appointed the former chairman of Turkish Airlines, Ilker Ayci, as Air India Ltd’s new chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD), marking a key step in efforts to overhaul the loss-making airline.
The Air India board, along with special invitee N. Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Tata Sons, met earlier on Monday to discuss the candidature of Ayci. “The board after due deliberations approved the appointment of Mr. Ilker Ayci as the CEO & MD of Air India," according to a statement from Tata group. “This appointment is subject to requisite regulatory approvals," it said adding that Ayci will start his tenure at Air India on or before 1 April.
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. “Ilker is an aviation industry leader who led Turkish Airlines to its current success during his tenure there," said Chandrasekaran.
The divestment of India’s national carrier was concluded in January with the government completing the handover of Air India and its subsidiaries—Air India Express and AISATS, in which it holds a 50% stake—to the Tata group.
It was a homecoming for Air India which began operations as Tata Air Services in 1932, before it was nationalized in 1953.
Air India is one of four airline brands operated by Tata group. The Mumbai-based conglomerate holds majority stakes in AirAsia India and Vistara, a joint venture with Singapore Airlines Ltd, apart from Air India Express.
As things stand, the Tata group has rolled out a 100-day plan for Air India to improve the airline’s operational and service standards.
The conglomerate hopes to improve Air India’s basic service standards, on-time performance, issues related to passenger complaints and customer call centres in the coming months.
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“I am delighted and honoured to accept the privilege of leading an iconic airline and to join the Tata group," Ayci said.
“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.
According to his Bloomberg profile, 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.
Ayci will spearhead the Tata group’s effort to integrate Air India’s staff into the conglomerate’s work culture.
Air India has about 12,085 employees on its rolls. The Tata group will have to retain all employees for at least a year.
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