Aviation.MY

Category: Air Transport

  • Will Christoph R. Mueller Make Malaysia Airlines Fly Again?

    Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 2014-10-14 10.31.31
    Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 2014-10-14 10.31.31

    Malaysia Airlines (MAS) airplanes are still flying, as of today. However, operating with losses for years is not a good choice for the ailing airline.

    The Restructuring Plan of Malaysia Airlines

    Months ago, Khazanah Nasional, Malaysian government investment arm has outlined a masterplan to resuscitate MAS and bring it to profit again (the complete PDF version of 12-point plan can be found here). Since then, there have been rumors on the appointment of a non-Malaysian as the CEO of the NewCo, the new company that is supposed to take over MAS, also known as OldCo in the restructuring plan.

    Mueller From Aer Lingus to NewCo

    On December 5th, Khazanah announced the name of NewCo CEO-Designate, Mr. Christoph R. Mueller. Mr. Mueller is already a huge name in aviation industry for his experience in bringing Aer Lingus back to profitability some time ago. His contract with Aer Lingus will end on May 1st 2015 but discussions are ongoing for him to start his jo at NewCo before that date but no earlier than March 1st 2015.

    Aer Lingus was once marred with huge loss in sombre Irish market and has recorded loss for years. Mr. Mueller managed to turn the 78-year old Irish airline into profitability witin a year despite difficult market environment that time.

    Additional Leadership Announcements

    Dato’ Sri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly, current Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Celcom Axiata Berhad (Celcom), is appointed to the new MAS board as Non-Executive Director, effective January 1st 2015. Despite that, he will remain as the CEO and director of Celcom, a leading Malaysian telecommunications company.

    Other positions announced including the one mentioned above:

    • Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof (Non-Independent Non-Executive Chairman)
    • Ahmad Jauhari Yahya (Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer)
    • Christoph R. Mueller (Non-Executive Director/CEO-designate of MAS NewCo)
    • David Lau Nai Pek (Senior Independent Non-Executive Director)
    • Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah (Non-Independent Non-Executive Director)
    • Mohd Shahazwan Mohd Harris (Non-Independent Non-Executive Director)
    • Tan Sri Krishnan Tan Boon Seng (Independent Non-Executive Director)
    • Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani (Independent Non-Executive
    • Director)
    • Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman (Independent Non-Executive Director)
    • Dr. Mohamadon Abdullah (Independent Non-Executive Director)
    • Mohd Izani Ashari (Non-Independent Non-Executive Director)
    • Dato’ Sri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly (Non-Executive Director)
    • Dato’ Fauziah Yaacob (Alternate Director to Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah / Non-Independent Non-Executive Director)

     

    Response from Malaysians

    Malaysians generally have mixed reviews with the appointment of Mueller. While many lauded that bld move to appoint a non-Malaysian in the top management of the new company, others see that a bit in a negative way and suggested that Khazanah should look into hiring a Malaysian for that post instead.

    Malaysia Airlines has been known for its inefficiency, hence it has embroiled itself with years of losses. Other than inefficiency of aircraft and crew management, we were also shocked to learn about “intervention” by various parties with the ailing airline. As an independently-operated company, there should be no intervention other than the ones that are supposed to benefit the airline.

    We also learned that MAS Employee Union (MASEU) has pledged its support to the new CEO-designate. We hope that other Malaysians will also support Khazanah’s noble intention to ensure the continuity of our flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines. In the meantime, some form of check-and-balance is required to ensure smooth operation of the new company, establishing the need for us to be more vigilant in supervising the new management team.

    #FLYINGHIGH #KEEPFLYING

    More information about the announcement can be found here.

  • MH17: Malaysia Accepted as Full Member of Investigation Team

    Malaysia Airlines A380 9M-MNB at Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris, France
    Malaysia Airlines A380 9M-MNB at Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris, France

    Malaysia has finally been accepted as full member of criminal investigation that intends to find the real cause of downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17).

    The notification about Malaysia’s full membership of joint investigation committee is done via a letter dated November 28th sent by Dutch National Public Prosecutor’s Office. The letter was received by Malaysian Attorney-General, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail on Monday, December 1st 2014.

    Flight 17, a Boeing 777 carrying 298 passengers was shot down by what is believed to be a high-velocity projectile in Donetsk, Ukraine. Donetsk is a region controlled by rebels in Ukraine.

    Malaysian government is currently in possession of the flight voice and data recorder, which was retrieved after the incident by the rebels.

    Source: The Star

  • New Celcom Lounge at klia2

    Celcom has recently launched a new exclusive lounge at klia2, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Other than the usual amenities, passengers will be able to pay their bills and ask about their roaming needs. The lounge is available for customers of the following packages:

    • Celcom First Elite
    • Celcom First for Business
    • Celcom First for Enterprise

     

    Specialists from Celcom, also known as Celcom Telecommunications Specialist will be available to help users with:

    • Roaming needs
    • Bill payments
    • Travel tips

     

    Amenities available include complimentary refreshments and snacks, internet access and luggage storage. Passengers can have discussions with the Specialists for their communication needs.

    Unfortunately, prepaid users are not eligible to use the lounge. We think it might be good for Celcom to provide the lounge access to other Celcom users at a fee.

    Celcom is a leading mobile telecommunications provider in Malaysia. It is part of Axiata Group, which also has business presence in Asia, primarily concentrating on Southeast Asia region.

    klia2 is a low-cost, purpose-built terminal located in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Unlike Main Terminal Building (MTB), klia2 does not cater for full service carriers (FSCs). Although AirAsia is the primary airline for the terminal, other airlines utilizing klia2 include but not limited to Malindo Air and Tiger Air.

    Source: Celcom website

  • Airbus A350XWB Asian Tour: Malaysia

    Airbus A350XWB - (C) Airbus. Photo by J V Reymondon
    Airbus A350XWB – (C) Airbus. Photo by J V Reymondon

    A350XWB is a mid-size passenger airplane made by the famous European airplane manufacturer, Airbus. XWB in its name designation is eXtra-Wide Body,  indicating its advancement in widebody airplane manufacturing.

    A350XWB uses Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine, the largest turbofan engine (by fan diameter size) ever built for mass-produced aircraft. At 118 inch diameter, the fan diameter is even larger than those on A380 jumbo jet.

    The only Malaysian airliner that placed firm order on A350XWB is AirAsia X, which sees the purchase of airplane fits well with their long-term strategy.

    Recently Airbus A350XWB has made Malaysia as its final stop for its Asian tour. The airplane landed at KUL – KL International Airport (KLIA) and make a short turnaround flight the following day. Only selected crew members of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and press were invited as part of this program.

    Since we are not able to be there for our much-cherished A350XWB, check out some tweets by @Airbus account:

     

     

    And on the next day:

     

     

    After Malaysia, the A350XWB is now back in Toulouse, France. Toulouse is a city where the final assembly of most Airbus airplanes take place.

     

     

  • Involvement of Jurukur Bahan Antara in Airport Construction / Renovation Projects

    Jurukur Bahan Antara, a cost consultation company has been involved with several renovation and construction projects at some of the airports in Malaysia.

    Here are the details:

    • Proposed Construction of a New Terminal Building and Parking Apron at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu, Kelantan for MALAYSIA AIRPORTS SDN BHD (RM 52 million)
    • Proposed Construction of a New Terminal Building at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, Alor Setar, Kedah for MALAYSIA AIRPORTS SDN BHD (RM 83 million)
    • Proposed Design, Build, Testing And Commissioning For Upgrading for New Large Aircraft (A380) Operations at KLIA International,Sepang, Malaysia for MALAYSIA AIRPORTS SDN BHD (RM 100 million)

    Source: BQSM.gov.my website

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