KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 20): Following the abrupt resignation of chief executive officer (CEO) Peter Bellew earlier this week, Malaysia Airlines Bhd has redesignated its chief operating officer Captain Izham Ismail as its new group CEO.

The airline said Izham’s appointment is in line with the succession plan under its 12-point MAS Recovery Plan (MRP), which provides for the development and succession of Malaysian leadership talent.

“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 Malaysia Airlines in a statement today.

Izham will assume the position on Dec 1 upon Bellew’s departure, who is currently on administrative leave, it added.

To "ensure a smooth transition", the airline said there will be a Board Executive Committee in place for six months at the national carrier — led by chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, and comprising board members Tan Sri Krishnan Tan Boon Seng, Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Isa and Sheranjiv Sammanthan.

Izham first joined Malaysia Airlines as a pilot in 1979. Prior to becoming COO in 2016, he served in multiple managerial positions, most notably as CEO of MASwings, Malaysia Airlines’ sister company in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Captain Izham is a key member of the MH family and brings with him 38 years of experience in the aviation industry,” said Md Nor Yusof on Izham’s appointment.

MH refers to the IATA or International Air Transport Association airline designator or reservation code for Malaysia Airlines.

“He has valuable breadth of understanding that spans airline operations and business management. 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,” he added.

Meanwhile, Izham expressed that he was both honoured and humbled to be entrusted with the new position and the challenges that come with it.

“Helming the national airline is a big responsibility. We are on track towards a full and complete transformation as outlined in the MRP, and I am looking forward to working with my MH colleagues to make this airline the pride of the nation again,” he added.

In a separate statement, Khazanah Nasional Bhd said it “supports and approves” Izham’s appointment as Malaysia Airlines group CEO, following the resolution of Malaysia Airline's board of directors earlier today and upon consultation and approval of Khazanah chairman, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

“His appointment as group CEO will ensure continuity and further progress of the overall restructuring effort under the five-year MRP,” it said, while assuring that the ongoing implementation of the 38-month MRP remains on track.

“As provided for by the MRP, the restructuring of Malaysia Airlines follows a well laid-out governance and approval framework. The framework sees Khazanah, the Malaysia Airlines board of directors, management and staff working closely together, with the full support of the government, to deliver the progress of the restructuring to date,” it said.

According to Malaysia Airlines, Izham has been integral to the airline’s ongoing turnaround effort and was responsible for the operations division, including flight and airport operations as well as engineering during his tenure as COO.

“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,” added the airline.