KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd has promoted chief operating officer Peter Bellew to head the state-owned carrier after its former chief executive officer resigned unexpectedly.
"The appointment takes effect on July 1," the airline said in an e-mailed statement yesterday.
Bellew takes over from Christoph Muel ler who was scheduled to leave in September after completing about half his three year term
Malaysia Air is turning to its third CEO in two years following two fatal air crashes in 2014 that led demand to sink at the already unprofitable carrier.
"Bellew's appointment will ensure continuity in the execution of the turnaround plan and further progress of the overall restructuring effort, Malaysia Air said in the statement.
Bellew joined Malaysia Air in September from Ryanair Holdings Plc, where he ended his stint as director of flight operations at the Dublin-based carrier after various roles since 2006.
He previously founded an online travel agency in Ireland and was a managing director at that country's Kerry Airport, according to Malaysia Air's website.
Malaysia Air should resist unwinding turnaround strategy that's cut 6,000 jobs and reduced capacity by almost a third, Mueller said in an interview in June.
"The carrier is ahead of schedule with its restructuring, having reached break even recently, putting it on course for a full-year profit in 2018 as targeted if not earlier, he said. BLOOMBERG