Born in Konya in 1959, Prof. Ahmet Bolat graduated from Istanbul Technical University in 1981 as an Industrial Engineer.

In 1984, he graduated from M.Sc. Operations Research program at Stanford University and in 1988, he obtained his Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Prof. Bolat started his career in 1981 as a Design and Production Engineer at Yıldız Kalıp Şirketi. Between 1985 and 1988, he held various roles at the University of Michigan including as a teaching assistant, research assistant, and assistant professor.

From 1988 to 2005, he worked as an assistant professor, associate professor, and professor at the Industrial Engineering Department of King Saud University, Riyadh.

He was assigned as Senior Vice President of Investment Management at Turkish Airlines Inc. in 2005 and served as Chief Investment and Technology Officer between 2012 and 2022. During his tenure, he managed the strategic growth plan of Turkish Airlines and led the team that procured around 550 aircraft for the Turkish Airlines fleet.

Being also responsible for International Relations and Alliances, Prof. Bolat has managed Government Affairs issues and commercial agreements with airline partners, ensuring partnership and network development with enhanced bilateral relations. He also led the feasibility study of the alliance selection project for Turkish Airlines.

In 2022, Prof. Ahmet Bolat was appointed as the Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines.