The board of directors of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) today announced the appointment of Captain Izham Ismail as executive director and group chief executive officer-designate with immediate effect.

In a statement today, MAS said, Izham, who is currently chief operating officer (COO), will assume the role of group CEO on Dec 1, upon the departure of Peter Bellew, who is currently on administrative leave.

It said the appointment of Izham is in line with the succession plan that MAS has put in place as part of the 12-point MAS Recovery Plan (MRP), which provides for the development and succession of Malaysian leadership talent.

“To ensure a smooth transition, a board executive committee will be in place for up to six months.

It will be led by chairperson Md Nor Yusof and will include board members Krishnan Tan Boon Seng, Zamzamzairani Isa and Sheranjiv Sammanthan,” MAS said.

It said Izham has been integral to the airline’s ongoing turnaround effort.

As COO, he was responsible for the operations division, which includes flight and airport operations as well as engineering, it said.

“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,” MAS said.

Izham has 38 years of experience in the aviation industry, having started his career with Malaysia Airlines as a pilot in 1979 and has broke world aviation records when he flew Malaysia Airlines’ first B777-200 eastward from Seattle to Kuala Lumpur and back.

Prior to becoming COO in 2016, he served as CEO of MASwings, Malaysia Airlines’ sister company in Sabah and Sarawak.

Welcoming Izham to his new role, MAS chairperson Md Nor Yusof said Izham is a key member of the MH family and has a valuable breadth of understanding that spans airline operations and business management.

- Bernama