The appointment of Turkish expat Ilker Ayci as CEO of Air India may hit turbulent weather over government approvals and security clearances, for which Tata Sons is understood to have made the requisite applications, top officials close to the development told ET.
The approvals may be more than just a formality in the backdrop of edgy India-Turkey relations and the fact that Ayci is seen as close to Turkish president Racep Tayyip Erdogan, considered as a Pakistan ally. Tata Sons had announced Ayci as the new Air India CEO on February 15.
