Tata Sons appoints Ilker Ayci as Air India CEO

Tata Sons on Monday named former Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Air India, within three weeks of the salt-to-software conglomerate taking full control of the national carrier.

Ayci (51), who was the Chairman of the Turkish Airlines until recently and on the board of the company prior to that, will assume his responsibilities on or before April 1. He will be the first CEO and MD of Air India under the Tatas.

The decision was taken by the Air India board at a meeting on Monday afternoon in which Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran was a special invitee. The appointment is subject to requisite regulatory approvals, a statement said.