Turkish Airlines has just disclosed a complete overhaul of its top management (it hasn’t even really been announced — it just came in the form of a public disclosure), though it’s not entirely clear what’s motivating this…
Turkish Airlines appoints new Chairman & CEO
Turkish Airlines has just announced that its two most senior executives have retired:
- Turkish Airlines’ Chairman, Ahmet Bolat, has retired, and is being replaced by Murat Şeker, who has served as Chief Financial Officer up until now
- Turkish Airlines’ CEO, Bilal Ekşi, has retired, and is being replaced by Ahmet Olmuştur, who has served as Chief Commercial Officer up until now
- With the two roles being freed up, Metin Gülşen will become Chief Financial Officer (he was previously SVP of Accounting and Financial Control), and Harun Baştürk will become Chief Commercial Officer (he was previously SVP of Sales)
In recent times, Turkish Airlines has been growing at an incredibly fast pace, as the airline plans to basically double in size over a decade. Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline in the world, and the airline really takes advantage of its strategically located hub and low cost structure (though the inflationary issues with the country’s currency do pose a challenge).
I have to imagine this is politically motivated?
By all accounts, Turkish Airlines’ Chairman and CEO were both respected, and did a great job running the airline. I don’t have any inside knowledge here, but this certainly seems to me like it’s more politically motivated than anything.
For one, Turkish Airlines is largely owned by the government, so obviously politics plays into everything. Furthermore, the fact that there are no quotes from the outgoing executives, plus the sudden nature of this, suggests these two were removed, rather than them voluntarily retiring. Furthermore, the fact that they’re promoting people who have been responsible for Turkish Airlines’ direction in recent times suggests the government isn’t necessarily even looking for a change in strategy.
Unlike other government owned airlines, I do have to give the country’s government credit for putting knowledgable and competent people in charge, and that’s why it has become such a success. Both the outgoing and incoming executives are highly qualified, and the airline is choosing one (basically) lifelong Turkish Airlines employee, and one brilliant guy who has been at the airline for a long time.
Bottom line
Turkish Airlines’ Chairman and CEO have both suddenly “retired,” and have been replaced by two other longtime Turkish Airlines executives. Given the lack of notice plus the lack of quotes from the outgoing executives, I have to imagine they were pushed out, rather than actually wanting to retire.
I don’t have enough context on the politics here, but to the carrier’s credit, the two new people in top spots seem highly qualified.
What do you make of Turkish Airlines’ management shakeup?
