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…
In this post:
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?
I’m sure those who are leaving those positions will be promoted to head of critical and strategical state enterprises or institutions. So it is more than airline management, as a governmental organization decision making perspective…
Turkish is just an airline that tries to offer lower fares than the next option and aggressive advertising, with even Turkish people/bots defending their namesake airline in the comments. I don't hate Turkish but their customer service is truly among the worst I've ever seen, even less competent than Spirit. I have literally seen them lie in my emails when I was entitled to compensation. It is crazy how blatantly dishonest they are, thankfully I...
Turkish is just an airline that tries to offer lower fares than the next option and aggressive advertising, with even Turkish people/bots defending their namesake airline in the comments. I don't hate Turkish but their customer service is truly among the worst I've ever seen, even less competent than Spirit. I have literally seen them lie in my emails when I was entitled to compensation. It is crazy how blatantly dishonest they are, thankfully I filed my claim with SHGM and they held Turkish accountable but it truly is a scummy airline.
govt owned airlines are always in a mess. Look what happening to Air New Zealand.
This is going to be deterioration of Turkish airlines , no any operations experienced guy on top , once any finance guy go top , that’s all he will start cutting corners , quality of service will go down , his salary will go up . God bless Turkish airlines .
The airline is okay but inefficient and change is needed. The website is over complicated and the staff could be better trained. A prime example of the dysfunction is in their telephone feedback request. Press 1 for Turkish or 2 for English. Both options lead to Turkish which means there is never any feedback from Westerners. On the plus side, the food is good and I've never been delayed.
What can tell you about Turkish Airlines is that the customer service is very efficient and rude. lt does not matter the reason why you want to cancel the flights they will do everything in their power to keep your money. So be very careful before you make any transaction with them. They do not care about anything else.
Such management adjustments are common with TK and other large state enterprises in Turkey where leadership is often moved around.
No one can pronounce and of the names , so it is a big nothing .
They are not understandable by me , so bye-bye .
Your “Big nothing” airline is actually ranked No: 5 in the world. Please tell us your favourite airline, or, experience the big “Bye-bye” from those who can pronounce names and post comprehensible English too …. Yes non-Alert.
@alert what does your comment even mean???
State-owned airline run by an authoritarian... what could possibly go right?
…. but presently a much better passenger experience than on any U.S. airline …. yes?
Inflight experience is good, but customer policies and relations is horrible. I'm concerned with how defensive you're getting over TK
Almost all of the best airlines in the world also fall into that same bracket. The only airlines that really compete with them are Taiwanese, Japanese or Cathay Pacific (who might not be state owned but...)
I like big ‘but’s and I cannot lie…