Malaysia Airlines on Friday named veteran senior executive Izham Ismail as its new CEO after his predecessor's shock departure dealt a fresh blow to the struggling carrier.
Izham, currently Malaysia Airlines chief operating officer, will be the carrier's fourth chief executive since 2014 when the company was plunged into crisis by the disappearance of flight MH370 and the downing of MH17.
The last CEO, Peter Bellew, abruptly resigned this week after just over a year in the job to rejoin Ryanair, which has recently been hit by a crisis that led to the cancellation of thousands of flights.
The Irishman said he was returning to Ryanair out of a sense of responsibility to his native country, where the airline is based.
Bellew's predecessor, German turnaround specialist Christoph Mueller, also resigned in a surprise move about a year ago.
Malaysia Airlines said in a statement that Izham's appointment was in line with the carrier's recovery plan which provides for the development of Malaysian talent.
"I am proud that he is our own internal home grown talent and I am confident that he will be able to take the airline further forward and ensure the turnaround plan is met," said Mohammed Nor Yusof, Malaysia Airlines chairman.
Izham joined Malaysia Airlines as a pilot in 1979 and has held a series of senior positions at the company. He will take up the role of chief executive in December.
The devastating MH370 and MH17 disasters had pushed the perennially loss-making airline to the brink of bankruptcy as bookings dried up.
Flight MH370 disappeared in March 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew on board.
Four months later, MH17 was blown from the sky by a suspected Russian-made ground-to-air missile over war-torn Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew.
source: AFP
GMT 09:31 2024 Thursday ,01 February
UTair flight makes emergency landing in Russia’s YekaterinburgGMT 08:44 2024 Wednesday ,31 January
Europe brings on charm and blue skiesGMT 08:37 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Europe brings on charm and blue skiesGMT 08:39 2018 Monday ,22 January
Airbus to get '10 years of visibility'GMT 06:42 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Emirates throws Airbus A380 a lifelineGMT 11:24 2018 Saturday ,20 January
Lebanon says foiled IS holiday attacksGMT 06:19 2018 Friday ,19 January
Emirates announces $16 bn dealGMT 06:18 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Philippine volcano 'fireworks' drawMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©