Tata Sons is pressing on with plans to restructure Air India, beginning with the appointment of a new chief executive.
The airline’s board of directors authorized the nomination of Ilker Ayci, the former chairman of Turkish Airlines, as the airline’s chief executive and managing director on February 14, 2022.
“Ilker is an aviation industry leader who led Turkish Airlines to its current success during his tenure there,” said Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons. “We are delighted to welcome Ilker to the Tata group where he would lead Air India into the new era.”
After winning the privatization bid for the loss-making airline in 2021, Tata Sons, a subsidiary of the Tata conglomerate, officially took over management and control of Air India on January 27, 2022.
Air India, Air India Express, and AI SATS, a ground and cargo handling company, were all part of the deal.
On or before April 1, 2022, Ayci will assume the responsibilities of CEO and managing director.
“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,” Ayci commented in a press statement.
