KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Former Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) Chief Executive Officer Peter Bellew had not signed on for a new job, including that from Ryanair, at the time of his resignation from the national carrier on Oct 8.

“I apologise for not being able to fulfill my contract. Khazanah (Nasional Bhd) and our chairman did everything possible to get me to stay,” he told a special press conference here today.

Asked on why Khazanah kept mum and did not make any statement the following day after receiving the resignation letter which was submitted to Chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, Bellew said: “I think because they tried everything in their power to make me stay.”

He reiterated that his resignation was not due to political interference in the airline’s decision to buy Boeing or Airbus, as well as interference from higher-authorities, including parent company Khazanah and the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) has not interfered in any way. He has encouraged me every step of the way.

“That (allegations) is completely untrue. Hundred per cent incorrect. MAB needs more wide-bodied planes and less narrow bodies. Simple,” the Irish-born said.

News of Bellew accepting Ryanair’s offer hogged the limelight last Sunday in the UK Times and the Irish-airline waited until Tuesday to make a stock exchange announcement.

Prior to being appointed the CEO of MAB on July 1, 2016, Bellew was the Chief Operating Officer of the airline company.

Asked on the compensation he must pay to Khazanah for terminating his contract ahead of his three-year maturity on June 2019, he said “it is a private matter” between him and Khazanah to discuss.

On the Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing, Bellew said the airline have not completed a firm order with the aircraft manufacturer.

“It’s not up to me to answer (Malaysia Airline’s plan for the aircraft) at this stage. It’s up to the new CEO and the board to decide,” he said.

Bellew expressed confidence that there was a possibility that MAB may return to the black by 2018 and be re-listed by 2019 as outlined in the restructuring plan announced by Khazanah in 2014.

He believed the Malaysia Airlines-brand had improved much over the world, rebounded strongly in China, Australia and other part of the world.

“It’s just about rebuilding the trust and brand. I think there is great opportunity for Malaysia Airlines over the next couple of years,” he said, adding that there was not many costs for the airline to cut and it must maintain between three and six per cent revenue to remain profitable. — Bernama