MALAYSIA Airlines has named Captain Izham Ismail as its new group chief executive officer (GCEO) designate and executive director after the shock resignation of Peter Bellew earlier this week.

Irishman Bellew was the troubled national carrier’s second foreign chief executive in its history, and took the job in August last year after German Christoph Mueller left the airline for Emirates.

Izham, who is now MAS chief operating officer, will take up his new post formally on December 1 after Bellew completes his administrative leave to join European budget carrier Ryanair.

Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) said to ensure a smooth transition, a Board Executive Committee would be in place for up to six months, led by chairman Md Nor Yusof and board members Krishnan Tan Boon Seng, Zamzarmzairani Isa and Sheranjiv Sammanathan.

“Captain Izham’s appointment is in line with the succession plan that MAB has put in place as part of the 12-point MAS Recovery Plan (MRP), which provides for the development and succession of Malaysian leadership talent,” the company said in a statement tonight.

MAS is expected to have a town hall meeting with all staff members at its headquarters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday.

Izham has 38 years’ experience in the aviation industry, starting his career with the flag carrier as a pilot in 1979.

“He broke world aviation records when he flew MAS’ first B777-200 eastward from Seattle to Kuala Lumpur and back. The flight set new world records for the longest flight and fastest round-the-world flight by a commercial airliner, with a total flight time of 41 hours and 59 minutes over a distance of 23,310 miles,” said the company.

The experienced pilot has climbed up the ranks over the years, including as senior instructor pilot, fleet manager and director of operations.

Prior to becoming COO last year, he served as CEO of MASwings, MAS’ sister company in Sabah and Sarawak.

As COO, he was responsible for the operations division, which includes flight and airport operations, as well as engineering 

He led the restructuring of the engineering division for more efficient and leaner operations, and was also responsible for the airline’s fuel-savings initiative.

“On behalf of the Malaysia Airlines group, I am extremely pleased to welcome Captain Izham to this new role,” said Md Nor in the statement.

“I am proud that he is our own 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.”

MAB’s ultimate owner, sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad, launched the recovery plan in August 2014, which included provisions for a local successor.

“We are now in the third year of the five-year MRP and it is timely for us to appoint a Malaysian to see it through to the finish line,” said Md Nor.

In the statement, Izham said: “Helming the national airline is a big responsibility. I am humbled and, at the same time, ready for the challenge.

“We are on track towards a full and complete transformation as outlined in the MRP, and I look forward to working with my MH colleagues to make this airline the pride of the nation again.”

In a separate statement, Khazanah said it supported and approved of Izham’s appointment.

“In this regard, the appointment of Captain Izham is in line with the succession plan that has been put in place at MAB.”

Khazanah said Izham played an integral role in the ongoing execution of the airline’s turnaround plan.

“His appointment as GCEO will ensure continuity and further progress of the overall restructuring effort under the five-year MRP.” – October 20, 2017.