The board of directors of Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad has announced leadership changes at Malaysia Airlines Berhad, which will see current chief executive Christoph Mueller handing over to chief operating officer Peter Bellew in an accelerated leadership transition.

Mueller, who resigned on March 10th and is serving his notice period to September 9th, will go on leave and step down from the MAB Board from tomorrow.

He will be replaced by Bellew, who has been appointed the new group managing director and chief executive of MAG and MAB respectively.

Mueller will remain available to the company until the end of his notice period to help ensure a smooth leadership transition.

The leadership changes have been approved by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the sole shareholder of MAG.

Bellew’s appointment follows a comprehensive search for a new chief executive conducted by Khazanah and the MAB Board.

The process, which commenced in April 2016, involved internal and external as well as local and foreign candidates.

Bellew has been a member of MAB’s senior management team since the first day of its full operations on September 1st, 2015.

His appointment will ensure continuity in the execution of the Malaysia Airlines’ turnaround plan and further progress of the overall restructuring effort, as set out by Khazanah in its 12-point MAS Recovery Plan.

It also allows for an accelerated and seamless leadership transition from Mueller.

An Irish national, Bellew has over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry.

He joined MAB from Ryanair, where he served in various roles with increasing responsibility since 2006, leaving the airline as the director of flight operations responsible for 72 bases operating a total of 320 aircraft.

Tan Sri Md Nor Md Yusof, chairman of MAG and MAB said: “Peter has been a key figure in the airline’s senior management team responsible for executing the biggest and fastest transformation in our history.

“He is an exceptional leader and has been an invaluable contributor to the transformation of the airline over the last ten months.

“Peter and the senior management team have established themselves positively within the company, especially in their rapport with employees, as well as externally among the aviation community.

“In this regard, Peter’s appointment will pave the way for a smooth transition to ensure the continued success of our national airline.”