Boeing 737-800 Malaysia Airlines Delivery Ceremony (Picture Credit: thestar.com.my)
KUALA LUMPUR, December 22nd 2014 – Malaysia Airlines took delivery of its 100th Boeing 737 aircraft. Bearing the registration number 9M-MXY, the aircraft is painted with Malaysia Airlines’ new livery, consistent with other fleet of Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800s.
The aircraft was piloted by Capt Kamarozaman Ahmad arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) at 2 PM on Monday and taxied towards Hangar 5 in the airport. A traditional water cannon salute is given to celebrate the arrival of the aircraft.
It first took delivery of a 737-200 in 1972 and has operated the -200, -300, -400, -500 variants of the Boeing 737. Currently, Malaysia Airlines focuses on taking delivery of Boeing 737-800, replacing all aging older-generation Boeing 737 in its fleet.
The aircraft uses Boeing Sky Interior. Malaysia Airlines is also Asia launch customer for the newly-designed interior, which features larger pivoting overhead stowage bins, LED lighting and larger window. Besides, it also has 15% better fuel efficiency compared to previous generation Boeing 737.
According to Malaysia Airlines’ chief executive officer (CEO), Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, the 160-seater aircraft includes better in-flight entertainment and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.
Boeing 737-800 Malaysia Airlines Delivery Ceremony – (Picture credit: superadrianme.com)
Recently Khazanah Nasional, the Malaysian government investment arm, has made an unconventional decision to appoint a non-Malaysian, Christoph Muller into a top position of the new management of Malaysia Airlines (NewCo). The existing company (OldCo) will be abolished and its assets and operations will be transferred to NewCo. The new company (NewCo) that manages the airline will be named as Malaysia Airlines Berhad, replacing the loss-making existing company (OldCo), Malaysia Airline System Berhad.
We scoured the internet to find more information about our new Malaysia Airlines CEO-designate, Mr. Christoph Mueller. Below are some of our findings:
Career before Aer Lingus
While most of Malaysians are aware that Mr. Mueller comes from Aer Lingus, little is known about his previous career.
Christoph Mueller has a long list of credentials in aviation industry. Before his appointment to the board of executive management team in Aer Lingus, Mr. Mueller has held senior positions in big companies such as Daimler Benz Aerospace, Lufthansa AG, DHL and Deutsche Post AG. His previous role before appointment as the CEO of Aer Lingus is the Aviation Director at TUI Travel plc, a British leisure travel group (Source). He is also affiliated with Cosa Instrument Corporation (Source).
Appointment as Aer Lingus’ CEO
The German-born Christoph Müller (alternately spelt as Mueller) was appointed to the Irish airline on October 1st 2009 after its former CEO, Dermot Mannion resigned on April 6th 2009.
His vast experience in aviation industry has made him the right candidate for the position. This is necessary for the transformation of Aer Lingus, which had been embroiled in losses for three consecutive years, namely 2008, 2009 and 2010. Source
The transformation and success of Aer Lingus
In early 2000s, Aer Lingus was making good income, having scored four years of profitability from 2002 to 2005. However, it made losses from 2006 to 2008, leaving Aer Lingus an urgent need to transform itself and
Soon after his appointment, Mueller tried to solve internal problem within the company, which has resulted in unsuccessful negotiations with the worker’s union of the airline.
After Aer Lingus has entered the phase of profitability, Ryanair, another low-cost carrier popular in Europe, tried to acquire it. However the acquisition went unsuccessful due to several reasons such as opposition by company competition authorities.
Etihad, a leading Middle Eastern carrier, also partnered with Aer Lingus for codesharing, together with United Airlines, KLM, British Airways and Jetblue.
Next Step: Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 at KLIA 9M-MXM 2014-09-21 08.33.02
The 52-year-old Mueller will start his new job at Malaysia Airlines from May 1st 2015. Analysts said it might be his toughest job ever, with Bloomberg.com describing it as “one of the toughest job in aviation” to lead a transformation effort of an airline that has lost two Boeing 777s with 537 passengers in just a year.
Mixed reaction can be seen from Malaysians. Some optimistic citizens voice out their support and solidarity with the restructuring plan while some others criticize the move. Among the ones who oppose the appointment is Malaysia’s former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
Mark D. Martin, the chief executive officer of Martin Consulting LLC said Mueller “may need at least six to nine months to familiarize himself with the company and the culture of Southeast Asia” – Bloomberg News.
Mueller is seen to be the right person to do the job because he managed to turn around Aer Lingus into profitability in just one year while facing stiff competition with the region’s leading budget carrier, Ryanair. Meanwhile, the similar situation can be observed in Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines has already struggled to stay profitable due to stiff competition with the region’s leading budget carrier, AirAsia.
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.
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.
9M-MRD Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 (C) Chenhaoyang, Planespotters.net
MH 17 Passenger and Cabin Crew List (Malaysians)
Cabin Crew
Captain WAN AMRAN BIN WAN HUSSIN
Body brought back on September 2nd
Captain CHOO JIN LEONG, EUGENE
Body brought back on September 2nd
First Officer AHMAD HAKIMI BIN HANAPI
Body brought back on August 22nd
First Officer MUHAMAD FIRDAUS BIN ABDUL RAHIM
Body brought back on September 2nd
In-flight Supervisor MOHD GHAFAR BIN ABU BAKAR
Body brought back on August 24th
Chief Stewardess DORA SHAHILA BINTI KASSIM
Body brought back on August 22nd
Chief Stewardess AZRINA BINTI YAKOB
Body brought back on August 22nd
Leading Stewardess LEE HUI PIN
Body brought back on August 22nd
Leading Stewardess MASTURA BINTI MUSTAFA
Body brought back on August 22nd
Flight Stewardess CHONG YEE PHENG
Body brought back on August 22nd
Flight Steward SHAIKH MOHD NOOR BIN MAHMOOD
Remains brought back on September 19th
Flight Steward SANJID SINGH SANDHU
Body brought back on September 2nd
Flight Stewardess HAMFAZLIN SHAM BINTI MOHAMED ARIFIN
Body brought back on August 22nd
Flight Stewardess NUR SHAZANA BINTI MOHAMED SALLEH
Body brought back on August 22nd
Flight Stewardess ANGELINE PREMILA RAJANDARAN
Body brought back on August 22nd
Passengers
Family members of Tambi
TAMBI BIN JIEE
Remains brought back on September 9th
ARIZA BINTI GAZALEE
Body brought back on August 22nd
MUHAMMAD AFRUZ BIN TAMBI
Remains brought back on October 3rd
MUHAMMAD AFZAL BIN TAMBI
Remains brought back on September 19th
MARSHA AZMEENA BINTI TAMBI
Remains brought back on September 19th
MUHAMMAD AFIF BIN TAMBI
Body brought back on August 22nd
Family members of Liew Yau Chee
LEE KIAH YEEN (Wife)
Ash in urn brought home on October 3rd
LIEW YAU CHEE (Husband)
Ash in urn brought home on October 3rd
Family members of Paul Rajasingam
Paul is a Shell IT Executive while Mabel is the former lecturer of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
PAUL RAJASINGAM SIVAGNANAM, 52 (Husband)
Body brought back on August 22nd
MABEL ANTHONYSAMY @ SOOSAI (Wife)
Body brought back on August 22nd
MATTHEW EZEKIAL SIVAGNANAM
Body brought back on October 3rd
Family members of Loh Yan Hwa
Loh, 54 and her Dutch husband, 60 are the operators of a Chinese restaurant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Their remains were laid to rest at Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam, Penang on September 2nd. Loh’s mother, Siew Poh has yet to be identified.
(JENNY) LOH YAN HWA (NETHERLANDS)
Remains brought to Penang on September 2nd
FAN SHUN PO (NETHERLANDS)
Remains brought to Penang on September 2nd
TAN SIEW POH
Remains have been identified, release date unknown
Other Families
SHALIZA ZAINI DEWA
The remains have been identified and the family wishes to handle the funeral privately.
FOO MING LEE
Body brought back on August 22nd
KAELAMAYAJAY GOES
Remains brought back on September 2nd
SUBASHNI RETNAM
Remains brought back on September 2nd
KARAMJIT SINGH KARNAIL SINGH
Body brought back on August 22nd
BENJAMIN LEE JIAN HAN
Remains brought back on September 9th
MOHD ALI BIN MD SALIM
Body brought back on August 22nd
MELING MULA – He was an offshore worker in Venezuela with a scaffolding company based in Kuala Lumpur.
Body brought back on October 3rd
ELISABETH NG LYETI
Body brought back on August 22nd
NG QING ZHENG
Body brought back on August 22nd
NG SHI ING
Body brought back on August 24th
NOOR RAHIMMAH MOHD NOR
Body brought back on August 22nd
HASNI HARDI BIN PARLAN
Body brought back on August 22nd
KAUSHALYA JAIRAMDAS PUNJABI
(PUAN SRI) SITI AMIRAH BINTI PARAWIRA, 83 is the step-grandmother of Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Transport Minister, DS Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. On November 1st 2014, her remains has been identified but she will be laid to rest at Amsterdam.
ELAINE TEOH, a Malaysian from Penang who was living and working in Melbourne, Australia in financial sector. She is the first Malaysian to be identified.
Remains have been identified but final resting place is unknown.
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