Malaysia Airlines appoints Aer Lingus boss as first foreign chief executive
First foreigner to head company will be face economic challenges in the aftermath of two deadly crashes
Malaysia’s government has picked Christoph Mueller, the chief executive of Ireland’s Aer Lingus, as the new head of its beleaguered flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines.
He will be the first ever foreigner to head Malaysia Airlines, which was struggling with chronic financial problems before it was further hit this year by two deadly jet disasters.
State investment arm Khazanah Nasional, the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, said discussions are ongoing for Mueller to start work before his contract with Aer Lingus ends on May 1 but “no earlier than March 1.”
Khazanah in August announced a $1.73 billion overhaul, which includes delisting the airline by year-end and cutting 6,000 workers, or 30 per cent, of its current workforce of 20,000.
Mueller will be the CEO of a new company that will be launched in July next year to take over the existing Malaysia Airlines business and its reduced staff under the revamp.
“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,” Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a statement. “The government is committed to seeing through the complete overhaul of (the airline) to its successful conclusion.”