KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of Capt Izham Ismail as Malaysia Airlines Bhd’s new group chief executive officer is part of the airline’s succession plan and will ensure continuity and further progress of MAS’s overall restructuring effort.
Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the sole shareholder of MAS, said it supports and approves the appointment which was decided by the MAS board of directors and upon consultation and approval of Khazanah chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In a statement, Khazanah said the 12-point MAS Recovery Plan (MRP) provides for the development and succession of Malaysian leadership talent and Izham’s appointment is in line with the succession plan put in place at MAS.
Izham, currently chief operating officer (COO) of MAS, has broad aviation experience and a 38-year service record with Malaysia Airlines, beginning as a pilot with the national flag carrier in 1979.
Khazanah said as COO, he has played an integral role in the on-going execution of the turnaround plan for Malaysia Airlines.
“His appointment as GCEO will ensure continuity and further progress of the overall restructuring effort under the five-year MRP,” Khazanah said, adding that the implementation of the MRP remains on track.