Malaysia Airlines has appointed Weng Chi Lee to the role of area manager UK & Ireland, joining the London based team to oversee operations and drive the business and sales strategy in this key market from August 2013.

Weng Chi Lee brings over 25 years of travel and tourism experience to the role.

He relocates to the UK from Seoul where he held the position of Malaysia Airlines’ area manager Korea for the last four and a half years.

Previous roles with Malaysia Airlines in Busan, Vienna and Kuala Lumpur have seen Lee work across core divisions including revenue management, marketing and management information systems, as well as key milestones in Malaysia Airlines’ history including the development of the Enrich Frequent Flyer programme.

With double daily non-stop A380 flights from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur International Airport connecting to destinations across Malaysia, south-east Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Lee will be responsible for the entire commercial operations, reservations and ticketing and management of one of Malaysia Airlines ‘core markets’ with a 62 strong team based out of London, London Heathrow and Dublin, Ireland.

Commenting on his appointment, Lee said: “The UK has been a flagship route for Malaysia Airlines for the last 40 years and is now served by our latest A380 aircraft to offer an even better service for passengers.

“I very much look forward to working with the local Malaysia Airlines team and our travel trade partners in this core market.”

Weng Chi Lee succeeds Yuzrizal Mohd Yousuf who is moving to Bangkok to head up the commercial operations in Thailand.