KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd's (MAB) chief executive officer Peter Bellew will rejoin Irish low-cost airline Ryanair as chief operations officer.
The Irishman described his move as a 'national service' to his country by helping out crisis-hit Ryanair, in the wake of the carrier's pilot-rostering fiasco.
"So why am I leaving. Negaraku. Love for country is pulling me back to Ireland.
"I got a call from Ryanair late evening two weeks ago to be COO. It is Ireland’s greatest company.
"They need my help and there is a big challenge," he said in a statement.
Bellew, who is Malaysia Airlines's third chief executive officer in two years, had initially turned down the offer when he was asked on Sept 27.
But a week later the call came from Ryanair and this time he could not turn it down.
"I am looking forward to being close again to my family and friends 14 hours away in Ireland," said Bellew.
At the same time, he denied there has been interference from Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the sole shareholder of MAB.
He said Khazanah have been incredibly supportive to him personally and corporately.
"Although possibly I drove Khazanah mad with my constant questions and wish for consensus.
"I cannot thank them enough for accelerating our transformation.
"Tan Sri Azman could not have been more supportive. Terima kasih Khazanah," he said, in referring to Khazanah managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.
Tasked with restoring confidence in the airline, Bellew noted that just another four to five per cent in monthly revenue should move MAB back to profits.
He said much work has been done globally through the media and travel agents to rebuild the airline.
"People love what Malaysia Airlines stands for.
"The brand is now revived from China to the UK and down to Australia.
"That work must continue and will yield the five percent revenue growth," he said.
Bellew spent eight years on Ryanair's operations team until 2014, prior to his two years stint at Malaysia Airlines.
He joined Malaysia Airlines as chief operations officer in September 2015, when it was led by former Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller.
Ryanair has announced that Bellew will re-join the airline beginning December 1 and will be responsible for managing pilot careers and training.