Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG) has appointed Peter Bellew as the new group managing director and CEO of Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) in place of Christoph Mueller who resigned unexpectedly after serving about half his three-year term. Bellew, who is currently the chief operating officer, begins his term from tomorrow, 1 July.

Malaysia Airlines now has its third CEO in two years following two fatal air crashes in 2014 that devastated the already unprofitable carrier. Khazanah Nasional Bhd – the Malaysian government investment body – which controls 100 per cent of the carrier after taking it private in 2014 and Mueller was tasked the following year with leading a RMB 6 billion (US$1.5 billion) recovery plan including 6,000 job losses and cuts to long-haul destinations to restore the carrier’s profitability.

MAG said Bellew’s  appointment as the new group MD and CEO will ensure continuity in the execution of the MAS turnaround plan and further progress of the overall restructuring effort as set out by Khazanah in its 12-point MAS Recovery Plan.

Bellew has over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry and he joined MAS from Ryanair Ltd on 1 September 2015. He was appointed MAS executive director recently.

MAG and MAB chairman Md Nor Md Yusof said: “Peter has been a key figure in the airline’s senior management team responsible for executing the biggest and fastest transformation in our history. Peter’s appointment will pave the way for a smooth transition to ensure the continued success of our national airline. I would like to thank Christoph for all the work begun under his leadership, which has seen the airline set on a path towards reclaiming its position among the world’s leading airlines.’’