Turkish Airlines appoints new chairman and CEO in leadership shake-up

Turkish Airlines has announced changes to its executive management structure, appointing Prof. Murat Şeker as Chairman of the Board and Ahmet Olmuştur as Chief Executive Officer as part of a broader leadership transition.

The national flag carrier said the appointments align with its corporate objectives and are aimed at strengthening governance and operational leadership.

Prof. Murat Şeker, who has held several key roles at the airline including Chief Financial Officer, has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. He brings extensive experience in finance, treasury and investor relations, having overseen critical functions within the airline since his appointment as CFO in July 2016.

Prof. Şeker earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from Marmara University in 2000, followed by a Master’s in Economics from Sabancı University and a PhD in Economics from the University of Minnesota. He previously worked as an economist at the World Bank between 2008 and 2013, where he contributed to policy reports and research on innovation, entrepreneurship, international trade and economic growth in developing countries.

Prof. Murat Seker, Board Chairman, Turkish Airlines

Between 2013 and 2016, he served as Senior Vice President of Financial Institutions and Investor Relations at Ziraat Bank, managing international funding and relationships with financial institutions and investors. During this period, he also held board roles across several subsidiaries.

Prof. Şeker has been a member of the Turkish Airlines Board and Executive Committee since March 2021 and also serves on the boards of Turkish Technic and SunExpress. He joined the Financial Advisory Council of the International Air Transport Association in 2024 and has served as its chair since 2025, advising on financial sector policy matters.

Alongside his corporate career, he has remained active in academia, lecturing part-time at Boğaziçi University between 2015 and 2018 and attaining the title of Professor in December 2025.

As part of the leadership changes, Ahmet Olmuştur has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, having previously led the airline’s commercial operations as Chief Commercial Officer.

Born in Istanbul in 1980, Mr Olmuştur studied Business Administration at Marmara University and obtained an MBA through an international programme delivered in partnership with institutions in New York, London and Paris.

He began his career at Turkish Airlines in 2000 as a part-time employee at the airline’s call centre before progressing through roles in revenue management. Over the years, he held positions including Manager of Global Distribution Systems, Manager of Revenue Management and Pricing, and Senior Vice President of Revenue Management.

Since 2014, he has led marketing and sales operations, later becoming Chief Commercial Officer in 2024. His contributions have spanned route network planning, pricing strategy, customer experience and the development of the Miles&Smiles loyalty programme.

Mr Olmuştur also serves as a Board Member and Audit Committee Member of SunExpress, a Board Member of Turkish Technic, and a member of the IATA Distribution Advisory Council. He is actively involved in several organisations, including the Prof Fuat Sezgin Research Foundation for the History of Islamic Science, the Turkish Golf Federation, the Tourism Development and Education Foundation, and the Turkish National Olympic Committee.

Turkish Airlines said the new leadership structure is expected to support its ambitions to strengthen its position in global aviation through sustainable growth, strong human capital and a continued focus on passenger experience.