Malaysia Airlines chief executive Christoph Mueller is to leave the airline later this year due to “personal circumstances”.
Mueller, who joined Malaysia Airlines (MAB) from Aer Lingus in March 2015 on a three-year contract, will quit the carrier in September.
“Unfortunately, personal circumstances will make it difficult for me to complete my full term,” said Mueller in a statement.
“I am proud of what we have achieved as a team in such a short time and that the hard work of all of our employees is already showing the first signs of success.
“The airline has been restructured and repositioned to regain its leading position in customer experience and to continue to connect Malaysia with the world; I am confident that the company is now on the right track to succeed in its next phase of growth under a new chief executive.”
The airline suffered through two disasters in 2014, first when flight MH370 went missing on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March, and four months later when flight MH17 from Amsterdam to KL was shot down over the Ukraine.
Mueller stated that the airline had been "technically bankrupt" when he took over as chief executive last year, but earlier this year said that the airline was on track to return to profitability by 2018 (see here).
Under his leadership, MAB underwent a US$1.5 billion overhaul, which saw it cut over 6,000 jobs and axe unprofitable routes. Despite the positive results from the cost-cutting measures, Mueller had previously admitted that cutting through the corporate culture that was fostered under the previous regime had been difficult, where red tape was thick and employees had many “entitlements”.
Malaysia Airlines chairman Md Nor Yusof said: “We are very disappointed to lose Christoph as chief executive but we fully understand his reasons and respect his need to do this.”
The company added that it had already begun the search for Mueller's replacement.
For more information, visit malaysiaairlines.com
Rob Gill
Mueller stated that the airline had been "technically bankrupt" when he took over as chief executive last year, but earlier this year said that the airline was on track to return to profitability by 2018 (see here).
Under his leadership, MAB underwent a US$1.5 billion overhaul, which saw it cut over 6,000 jobs and axe unprofitable routes. Despite the positive results from the cost-cutting measures, Mueller had previously admitted that cutting through the corporate culture that was fostered under the previous regime had been difficult, where red tape was thick and employees had many “entitlements”.
Malaysia Airlines chairman Md Nor Yusof said: “We are very disappointed to lose Christoph as chief executive but we fully understand his reasons and respect his need to do this.”
The company added that it had already begun the search for Mueller's replacement.
For more information, visit malaysiaairlines.com
Rob Gill 
