This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Captain Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri will take over as Malindo Air chief executive officer from current CEO Chandran Rama Muthy with effect from Sept 23.

Malindo said in a statement yesterday that Mushafiz is currently director of safety, security and quality of Thai Lion Air, a low-cost airline within Lion Group, which also comprises Lion Air, Batik Air, Wings Air and Malindo Air.

Mushafiz began his career as a trained pilot from the Australia Aviation School, Adelaide and has operated various types of aircraft including the variants Boeing 737 and Boeing 777.

In 2013, Mushafiz started his path with Lion Group from Malindo Air as one of the pioneer batch of pilots and played a key part as a management pilot in the early days of the airline.

"Later in the same year, he was seconded to Thai Lion Air, which was also then a start-up airline. He has held various operational roles including as deputy flight operations director. He brings forth over 24 years of aviation experience both as flying and management pilot as well as instructor and examiner," the airline said.

Malindo said Chandran, who will remain in Lion Group, will take on a new role as group strategic director of Lion Group.

"He will be tasked to drive greater synergy within Lion Group by overseeing new developments and strategic directions for all of the five carriers alongside putting in place financial management systems and developing alternative business streams.

"He will however continue to remain as a shareholder of Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd," it said