Bilal Eksi graduated from Yildiz Technical University, the Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering in 1989.

After graduation, Ekşi worked as an Electronics and Communications Engineer at Turkish State Railways and thereafter, was assigned to the position of Workshop Manager at Istanbul Ulasim A.S., playing an active role in the realization of significant transport projects in Türkiye.

As the Head of Overhaul Workshops at Turkish Airlines Inc., Ekşi carried out the duty of maintenance of aircraft engines, landing gears, and all components between 2003 and 2005.

In 2005, he was assigned as the Chief Ground Operations Officer at Turkish Airlines Inc. where he was credited for accomplishing significant projects, particularly in the improvement of the on-time departure performance.

He also served as the Chief Production Officer at Turkish Technic in 2008 and 2009. He moved on as the General Manager of Cyprus Turkish Airlines as part of the reorganization of Cyprus Turkish Airlines in 2010 and as the Executive Vice President at “Turkish Engine Center (TEC)”, established by the Joint Venture of Pratt Whitney, an American engine manufacturer, and Turkish Technic Inc. between 2010 – 2011.

Ekşi was assigned as the Director General of Civil Aviation in April 2011. During his tenure as the Director General of Civil Aviation, Türkiye was re-elected as a member of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 66 years after the country became a member and one of the 36 members that comprise ICAO’s decision-making body.

On October 21, 2016, Ekşi was named as the new CEO of Turkish Airlines. He continues to steer Türkiye’s national carrier to reach new heights.

Turkish Airlines turned 90 years old in 2023. Its fleet has 424 planes and is one of the youngest and most modern in the world. The airline flies to more than 270 destinations worldwide. In the second quarter of 2023, it carried over 21 million passengers in total, with a domestic load factor of 81.5% and an international load factor of 81.8%.

Under taking over one hundred operational optimization projects to reduce its carbon footprint since 2008, Turkish Airlines was recently awarded the title of “Most Sustainable Flag Carrier Airline” once again by World Finance as a result of the airline’s sustainability-focused initiatives in line with its commitment to become a “Carbon-Neutral Airline by 2050”.