Air India’s CEO pick declines offer, cites ‘undesirable’ narrative

AIR INDIA’S MD & CEO-designate Ilker Ayci said on Tuesday that he has declined the Tata Group’s offer to lead the airline, citing “attempts” to paint his appointment “with undesirable colours”. The Tata Group is understood to have restarted the process of selecting a new CEO for Air India, including considering candidates from within the conglomerate.

“My appointment as (CEO of) Air India within Tata Group was announced earlier in February, with a start date of April 1. Since the announcement, I have been sadly following news in some sections of the media attempting to colour my appointment with undesirable colours,” Ayci said in a statement.