KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Malaysia Airlines Berhad’s (MAB) current chief operating officer (COO) Peter Bellew will replace Christoph Mueller as chief executive officer (CEO) from tomorrow, the airline said today.
The airline said the handover has been approved by its parent firm Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad’s (MAG) sole shareholder, Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
The airline said Mueller — who resigned on March 10 and is serving his notice period until September 9 — will go on leave and step down from the MAB board tomorrow.
“He will be replaced by Mr. Bellew, who has been appointed the new Group MD and CEO of MAG and MAB respectively, effective 1 July 2016.
“Mr. Mueller will remain available to the company until the end of his notice period to help ensure a smooth leadership transition,” the airline said in a statement today.
MAB said Bellew was appointed after Khazanah and the airline’s comprehensive search for a new CEO since April, in which internal and external as well as local and foreign candidates were considered.
Bellew, who is also an executive director in MAG and its subsidiary MAB, has over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry. He was Ryanair Ltd’s director of flight operations before joining the Malaysia carrier.
MAG and MAB chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Md Yusof said in the same statement that Bellew played a key role in the airline’s senior management team that was “responsible for executing the biggest and fastest transformation in our history.”
“He is an exceptional leader and has been an invaluable contributor to the transformation of the airline over the last 10 months,” he said, adding that the Irishman and the senior management team have established themselves positively both within the company and in the aviation community.
“In this regard, Peter’s appointment will pave the way for a smooth transition to ensure the continued success of our national airline,” he said.
Md Nor also thanked Mueller for the work achieved under his leadership, which he said has set Malaysia Airlines “on a path towards reclaiming its position among the world’s leading airlines.”
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 then that “personal circumstances” would make it difficult for him to complete his full term.
In a separate statement by Khazanah Nasional today, the sovereign fund said Bellew’s appointment was discussed and recorded at its June 21 board of directors’ meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“As Group MD and CEO, Mr. Bellew’s primary tasks are to successfully implement the turnaround of Malaysia Airlines, as well as develop Malaysian leadership succession at MAB,” it said.
Khazanah launched the 12-point MAS Recovery Plan on August 29, 2014, to help return Malaysia Airlines to profitability, noting today that the five-year plan is on schedule.
