MAS appoints new CEO
Outgoing Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller has been appointed the new CEO of Malaysian Airlines.
Mieller’s appointment had long been expected, and he will join ‘MAS NewCo’ at some point nin the first half of next year. His contract as CEO with Aer Lingus ends on 1 May 2015. “Discussions are on-going for Mr. Mueller to assume the post of MAS NewCo CEO at a date prior to 1 May 2015, but no earlier than 1 March 2015. As previously announced, MAS NewCo is planned to commence operations on 1 July 2015,” said Malaysia’s state-run Khazanah Nasional in a statement.
“Mueller has a strong record of transformation and turnarounds in the aviation industry. Among his key accomplishments, Mr. Mueller has demonstrated particular strength in strategic and financial planning, as well as structural repositioning of companies in difficulties. This includes implementing change programmes and adopting new technology, distribution and retail solutions decisively,” says Khazanah.
“At Aer Lingus, in the last four-and-half years, Mr. Mueller turned around the loss-making airline within a year, in a declining Irish market and tepid European market conditions. Aer Lingus’ sustainable profitability and cash generation are built on a new strategy and business model that has enabled the 78-year-old carrier to compete in a difficult market environment with both traditional legacy airlines and low-cost carriers. It has also developed Dublin to become one of the leading hubs for North Atlantic long-haul traffic.
Malaysian Prime MinisterDato’ Sri Mohd Najib said: “The appointments announced today are part of efforts by the Government and Khazanah to lay strong foundations for the future success of our national carrier. It is imperative that we have the best available talent with the expertise and experience to help drive the progress of the restructuring effort further forward, lead the airline to profitability, and groom a Malaysian successor to assume the leadership of the airline in the future. The Government is committed to seeing through the complete overhaul of MAS to its successful conclusion.”