Troubled Malaysia Airlines have chosen Aer Lingus boss Christoph Mueller to be its chief executive-designate.
The Malaysian airline, which has seen its value and reputation savagely hit by two disasters during 2014 announced a raft of senior leadership appointments during a restructuring to stave off collapse. Last month, MAS posted its worst quarterly loss since late 2011, as passenger numbers and average fare yields fell sharply.
Unusually, Mr Mueller is going to become the first ever non Malaysian native to take the head of the country's flagship carrier. Khazanah Nasional, Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund and MAS's parent company, said discussions were ongoing for Mr Mueller to take up the post before 1 May 2015, but no earlier than 1 March 2015. Mr Mueller's Aer Lingus notice period ends on 1 May.
"The appointments announced today are part of efforts by the government and Khazanah to lay strong foundations for the future success of our national carrier," Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said, Najib also chairs Khazanah's board of directors.
In August, MAS said it was to cut 6,000 staff as part of a recovery plan, with the airline becoming completely state-owned.