KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): Air freighter Raya Airways Sdn Bhd, the restructured entity of former Transmile Air Services Sdn Bhd, has appointed its former commercial director Lee Shashitheren as its executive director and chief executive officer effective Sunday, May 1.

Raya Airways said Lee, who has more than 20 years in the cargo airline business, takes over from former managing director Mohamad Najib Ishak who resigned on April 1.

Lee started his career with Singapore Airlines Cargo in 1995, before taking on positions in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Qatar Airways.

"His key strength is [in] developing and managing commercial, operations, financial portfolios, capacity building and systems development," Raya Airways said in a statement today.

Its chairman Kamaruzaman Mohamath Shariff said the board supported Lee's appointment due to his track record and experience, and his strong network in the industry.

"It makes him the most suitable and prominent candidate. As Raya Airways' former commercial director, Lee has the edge of knowledge, experience and expertise. Our clients, stakeholders and industry peers support this and will provide a smooth transition into his new post," he said.

The cargo airline said it is embarking on a re-fleeting exercise to obtain newer and more fuel-efficient aircrafts. It added that it aims to triple its annual 30,000 tonnes cargo volume to 100,000 tonnes, in the next five years.

"Raya has been granted truck flight license by the government, which allows it to operate multimodal transport from and between all domestic airports in Malaysia and into Singapore," it added.

Raya Airways, which has been in the sector through its predecessor, Transmile, since Novmber 1993, is involved in the business of scheduled and express delivery, aircraft charters, ground handling, warehousing, trucking connections, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).