KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd’s board of directors will meet to decide the next course of action following the impending departure of its CEO Peter Bellew.
Bellew is reportedly set to re-join Ryanair from December 1.
MAB described the development as “unexpected”, citing a recent press conference (on Sept 27) where the Irishman had expressed his commitment to Malaysia Airlines when asked about speculation that he would re-join Ryanair.
“He (Bellew) said that he was happy to be in Malaysia and that the turnaround of Malaysia Airlines would be ‘the greatest achievement of my life’,” the statement said.
“Our operations and services continue as normal, and our commitment and priority remains with our customers. The turnaround of Malaysia Airlines remains on track and on schedule, as per the MAS Recovery Plan,” MAB said in a statement today.
Earlier today, Ryanair announced that Bellew will re-join the airline as its Chief Operations Officer beginning December 1.
Bellew will take over responsibility for all Ryanair’s flight operations, ground operations and engineering, Ryanair said in a statement.
Bellew previously worked in Ryanair until 2014, where his last post was Director of Flight Operations.
“I am excited to return home to Ryanair and take up the challenge to grow the operation sustainably. I look forward to working with all the team and all the crews I know so well to further develop our growth to 600 aircraft over the next 6 years,” he said in the statement.
“We are pleased to welcome Peter back to Ryanair. Having worked previously in a senior role in our Operations team, Peter has an unrivalled knowledge of our business model and how we maintain controlled growth, with industry leading punctuality, for the benefit of our customers and our people," Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary added.