Ayci’s proximity to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is not exactly known as a friend of India, among other reasons, has created a buzz on social media ever since Tata Sons announced the Turkish national as the next CEO of Air India. “Various options will be considered, including the appointment of a COO, if there is a delay in the security clearance of Ayci,” said a source. Recruitment firm Egon Zehnder had shortlisted five professionals from five top airlines in the world. Tata Sons selected Ayci, 51, from that list.
The Turkish national is expected to take charge of Air India on or before April 1. “There is still some time. Tata Sons is watching the situation,” the source added. In the event of Ayci not getting security clearance, Tata Sons will select the next best from the remaining four for the CEO’s role in Air India. Interestingly, Ayci resigned from the chairman’s post at Turkish Airlines on January 27, the day Tata Sons took over Air Indiafrom the government.
Tata Sons declined to comment on the situation. If it eventually says that Ayci will not be joining Air India, it will be the second such instance under chairman N Chandrasekaran when the appointment of an expat as head of a company has not gone through. Last year, the Tatas announced that German national Marc Llistosella, whom it had hired to lead Tata Motors, wo-uld not be joining the automobile maker. It compensated Llistosella, who was also short-listed by Egon Zehnder, for withdrawing the employment contract. Tata Motors has been without a CEO since last July.
Turning around the fortunes of the struggling Air In-dia is one of Chandrasekaran’s key goals following the renewal of his tenure as chairman at Tata Sons. He is expected to chair Air India, where he has been a special invitee to its board meetings, once his security clearance is done.
Tatas selected Ayci for turning around Turkish Airlines. During his tenure with the carrier, it broke into the premier club of the world’s top 10 airlines by market share.
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