Ilker Ayci is the Identity in Question
Ilker Ayci: Former CEO of Turkish Airlines Turns Down Air India Offer
Ilker Ayci, a seasoned professional with a diverse background, has made headlines recently due to his decision to decline an offer to lead Air India.
Born in 1971, Ayci studied Political Sciences and Public Administration at Bilkent University, Leeds University, and Marmara University. Before venturing into the aviation industry, he held various positions in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and worked in the pharmaceutical industry at Kurtsan Pharmaceuticals.
In a significant career move, Ayci became the CEO of Turkish Airlines in February 2015. Under his leadership, the airline saw remarkable growth, and Turkish Cargo, a department of Turkish Airlines, secured a market share of around five percent in the global market.
In early 2022, Ayci was offered the position of CEO at Air India, owned by the TATA Group. However, the offer was met with controversy due to allegations of his political past. Despite the offer, Ayci announced that he had turned down the position on March 1.
Following his resignation from Turkish Airlines in January 2025, Ayci was initially considered for the CEO and Managing Director (MD) positions at Air India. However, he declined both offers, and as of July 2025, no new confirmed executive positions or detailed future plans have been publicly announced.
Ilker Ayci's resignation as chairman of Turkish Airlines in January 2025 marked a turning point in his career. Since then, there have been no updates on Ayci's occupation. It was alleged that Ayci had facilitated controversial investments during his tenure, but no concrete evidence has been presented to support these claims.
Ayci is married to Tugçe Saatman Ayci, a sports speaker, and the couple's professional and personal lives have been a subject of interest for many. Despite the controversies surrounding Ayci's career, his contributions to the aviation industry, particularly at Turkish Airlines, are undeniable.
In summary, Ilker Ayci, after resigning from Turkish Airlines, was linked with Air India leadership but declined that role, and as of mid-2025, no new confirmed executive positions or detailed future plans have been publicly announced.
Ayci's decisions in the aviation industry extended beyond Turkish Airlines, as he was also approached for leadership roles in the aerospace sector, specifically at Air India. However, amidst financial and political controversies, Ayci declined these offers in early 2022 and 2025, maintaining his distance from the aerospace and finance industries.
