KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 ― Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) is expected to announce this week its replacement for outgoing CEO and managing director Christoph Mueller, who is meanwhile rumoured as likely to join Emirates, according to a news report.
The Star quoted a source saying that an announcement would be made to put to rest unnecessary speculation and lobbying, and that the MAB board will likely name Peter Bellew as Mueller's replacement.
Bellew was appointed executive director after Mueller said recently he was leaving MAB for personal reasons.
“We expect an announcement on the replacement of Mueller this week,” the source reportedly said.
An airline executive was also quoted as saying that Bellew was the most capable person for the job.
“In the interest of continuity, Bellew is the man. He is already entrenched in the day-to-day running of the airline, has the expertise and experience, and vast knowledge of the airline industry.”
The Star also said that Bellew has already signed the acceptance letter.
Reports recently surfaced that Mueller will be working for the world’s largest airline, Emirates.
The report, which appeared in the German publication manager magazine and several others including the BoardingArea website, stated that Mueller would join Emirates as its chief transformation officer.
MAB announced in April that Mueller, who succeeded Ahmad Jauhari Yahya as managing director and Malaysia Airlines CEO on May 1 last year, will step down this September, far ahead of the expiry of his three-year contract.
The German aviation veteran, who had cut 6,000 jobs and axed unprofitable routes in Malaysia Airlines, said in the MAB statement that “personal circumstances” would make it difficult for him to complete his full term.
