Former Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci has declined Tata Sons' offer to be the new chief executive officer of Air India.
Ayci, who was appointed to lead the loss-making national carrier by its new owners, said his appointment to the position was 'coloured' by Indian media, Bloomberg reported citing an emailed press release.
“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 a narrative," Ayci said in a statement seen by Bloomberg.
Ayci's appointment to helm Air India was confirmed by Tata Sons on Feb. 14, and he was to join the airline on or before April 1, according to a press release.
Ayci's appointment was opposed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch. Ayci, who was born in Istanbul in 1971, was also an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he was mayor of Istanbul between 1994-1998.
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