Air India’s MD & CEO-designate Mr. Ilker Aycihas declined his appointment to the role, according to a Bloomberg report, which cited an e-mailed press release issued by Mr. Ayci.
The former Turkish Airlines Chairman was named Air India’s Managing Director and CEO by new owners, the Tata Group, last month.
‘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,’ Mr. Ayci said in his statement.
Mr. Ayci’s appointment was subject to security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, as an foreign national in such a high-profile role. Ayci was expected to join duties on or before April 1.
The Mumbai-based conglomerate’s CEO pick for Air India had come under criticism from outfits such as the ‘Swadeshi Jagran Manch’, which had expressed ‘concerns’ over Ayci’s links with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an.
The Tata Group, which took over Air India from the government on January 27, did not comment on the development.
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