The appointment of Ilker Ayci, who is a Turkish national, as the chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD) of Air India seems to have hit a roadblock for now over the Centre’s green signal and security clearances, and Tata Sons is likely to evaluate new leadership for the airline. On February 15, the Mumbai-based coffee-to-cars conglomerate had announced Ayci as the new Air India CEO. However, norms require an airline company to receive the government nod before key appointments.
Ayci is seen as close to Turkish president Racep Tayyip Erdogan, considered as a Pakistan ally, among other reasons, has raised concerns ever since the Tata group announced the appointment of Ayci, 51, as the new boss of Air India.
Citing a source, ToI reported the group would consider several other options, including the appointment of a chief operating officer (COO), if there is a “delay in the security clearance of Ayci.” Global executive search firm Egon Zehnder had selected five professionals from five top airlines in the world. Tata Sons selected the former chairman of Turkish Airlines from that list.
Ayci will assume his new responsibilities on or before April 1 this year. “There is still some time. Tata Sons is watching the situation,” the source added.
If Ayci failed to get a security clearance, Tata Sons will choose the next best from the remaining four for the CEO’s position in Air India. Worth mentioning here is that Ayci stepped down as Turkish Airlines chairman on January 27, the day Tata Sons regained of the airline after nearly 70 years.
