Former Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci has declined Tata Sons’ offer to be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Air India. Ayci’s appointment was questioned because of his proximity to pro-Pakistan Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as alleged links with Al-Qaeda. Ayci had been expected to assume his role at Air India on April 1.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) had expressed reservations and appealed the government to not give clearance to the appointment of Ayci, “keeping in view national security”.
“Since the announcement, I have been carefully following news in some sections of the Indian media attempting to color my appointment with undesirable colors,” Ayci said in a statement.
