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. "As a business leader who has always prioritized professional credo and more importantly, the happiness and well being of my family above all else, I have come to the conclusion that it would not be a feasible or an honourable decision to accept the position in the shadow of such narrative," he added. Ayci had resigned as the Chairman of Turkish Airlines on January 27 — the day the government handed over Air India to Tata Sons.
Ayci said he remains grateful to the Tata Group and its chairman N Chadrasekaran for extending to him the honour and the opportunity to lead Air India. "However, at a recent meeting with Mr Chadrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, I regretfully informed him and I wish to inform the public, as well, that I will decline the position," he said. Ayci said he has taken this decision with a heavy heart, and he wishes Air India and the Tata Group every success.
On February 14, Tata Sons announced the appointment of Ayci and the CEO & MD of Air India but this was subject to requisite approvals that included a thorough background check by the Ministry of Home Affairs every time a foreign national is appointed at an important position in a domestic company.
As per a wiretap authorised by a Turkish court as part of a corruption investigation in Turkey, Ayci allegedly secretly met with an Al-Qaeda financier on August 18, 2013 and encouraged him to bid in tenders for the privatisation of thermal power plants. He asked him to finish the preparations for the project before his presentation to then Prime Minister Erdogan. Besides, he was also considered close to Erdogen, who is known for his pro Pakistan stance.
Between 1994 and 1998 Ayci served as an advisor to Erdogan, when he was Mayor of Istanbul. He went on to serve as Chairman of Turkish Airlines between 2005 and 2012, helping turn around the fortunes of the once-struggling carrier.
Tata Group had on October 8 last year won the bid to acquire debt-laden state-run Air India by offering Rs 18,000 crore for it
