Istanbul, Turkey: Turkish Airlines has announced a significant overhaul of its top leadership, appointing new figures to its highest executive positions as part of a strategic restructuring aligned with the airline’s long-term corporate objectives.
According to an official statement issued by the airline’s Communications Directorate, Prof. Dr. Murat Şeker has been appointed as Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, replacing Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, while Ahmet Olmuştur has been named the airline’s new General Manager (CEO), succeeding Bilal Ekşi.
The airline stated that the appointments were made “in line with the company’s corporate goals,” signaling a forward-looking leadership transition rather than a response to operational or financial concerns.
The management reshuffle establishes a new executive structure at Turkish Airlines, one of the world’s largest global carriers, as it continues to pursue expansion and operational growth. The airline emphasized continuity in its strategic direction, with the leadership change aimed at strengthening governance and aligning management with future objectives.
Prof. Dr. Murat Şeker brings extensive financial and international experience to the role. A graduate of Marmara University’s Industrial Engineering program, he holds a master’s degree in economics from Sabancı University and a PhD in economics from the University of Minnesota.
Şeker previously served as an economist at the World Bank between 2008 and 2013, contributing to projects focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, trade, and economic growth in developing countries.
He later held senior leadership roles at Ziraat Bank, including heading financial institutions and investor relations, where he oversaw international financing operations and served on multiple subsidiary boards.
Since joining Turkish Airlines as Deputy General Manager in 2016, Şeker has overseen key functions such as finance, treasury, procurement, accounting, and investor relations. He has also served on the airline’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, alongside board roles at Turkish Airlines Technical and SunExpress.
In addition, Şeker has been a member of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Financial Advisory Council since 2024 and became its president in 2025. He was awarded the title of Professor in December 2025 and has contributed to academia as a part-time lecturer at Boğaziçi University.
Ahmet Olmuştur, the newly appointed CEO, represents a rare internal success story within Turkish Airlines. Born in Istanbul in 1980, he graduated in Business Administration from Marmara University and completed an international MBA program conducted in partnership with institutions in New York, London, and Paris.
Olmuştur began his career at Turkish Airlines in 2000 as a part-time call center employee, steadily rising through the ranks over more than two decades.
He held several key roles within revenue management and commercial operations, including Flight Analyst, General Distribution Systems Manager, Revenue Management and Pricing Manager, and Revenue Management Director. Since 2014, he has served as Deputy General Manager responsible for Marketing and Sales, and from 2024 led the airline’s commercial activities.
Throughout his career, Olmuştur has played a critical role in shaping the airline’s network planning, pricing strategies, sales and marketing operations, customer experience initiatives, and the Miles&Smiles loyalty program.
He also holds board and advisory roles across several aviation and national institutions, including SunExpress, Turkish Airlines Technical, and the IATA Distribution Advisory Council, as well as involvement in organizations such as the Turkish National Olympic Committee and the Tourism Development and Education Foundation.
The leadership transition marks a new phase for Turkish Airlines as it continues to expand its global footprint and strengthen its financial and operational framework. With Şeker’s financial expertise and Olmuştur’s deep commercial and operational experience, the airline appears to be positioning itself for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive global aviation market.
