Christoph Mueller assumed leadership of the Malaysia Airlines Group on 1 May 2015 following a decision by its sole shareholder, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, to accelerate the leadership transition to enable Mueller to be in the executive capacity to lead the overall restructuring of MAS.

The handing over of the reins at MAS was done on 31 April in a ceremony witnessed by MAS chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof and the MAS management committee.

According to Mueller, exploring fleet options to enhance viability of long haul sectors is one area being looked into, “as such, recent speculations on the airline offering some of its fleet for sale or lease is too premature when nothing concrete has been achieved.”

“MAS needs to operate and utilise its fleet at an optimum level besides maximising revenue on the route it flies. The market needs to give Malaysia Airlines room to explore various options in determining the most viable strategy,” he added.

Muller’s crucial task on hand is to drive the design and implementation of the business plan for the new Malaysia Airlines, to turn the national carrier to sustainable profitability.