Malaysia Airlines Berhad has announced chief executive Christoph Mueller will leave the company in September 2016, following his request to depart before the end of his three-year contract.

In ensuring continuity and an orderly succession, Mueller will serve a six-month notice period to September 2016.

Following this, he has expressed his intention to the MAB board to remain with the airline as non-executive director.

MAB chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof said: “We are very disappointed to lose Christoph as chief executive but we fully understand his reasons and respect his need to do this.

“On behalf of the board, the management team and the employees, I want to thank Christoph for his immense contribution to the restructuring of Malaysia Airlines.

“Since he joined, Christoph has made a significant impact in putting the airline on the desired trajectory towards full recovery and we appreciate all his efforts.

“His hard work over the last year has seen Malaysia Airlines set on a path where there has already been encouraging progress.

“There are other significant strategic decisions already in the pipeline which Christoph has made preparations for and will manage through.

The MAB board has appointed chief operations officer Peter Bellew as executive director on the MAB Board with immediate effect.

Mueller said: “I am proud of what we have achieved as a team in such a short time and that the hard work of all of our employees is already showing the first signs of success.

“I am looking forward to continuing this exciting task for another six months in my executive position.

“Unfortunately, personal circumstances will make it difficult for me to complete my full term.

“The airline has been restructured and repositioned to regain its leading position in customer experience and to continue to connect Malaysia with the world.

“I am confident that the company is now on the right track to succeed in its next phase of growth under a new chief executive.

“I remain fully committed to do everything possible to facilitate the continuing turnaround of Malaysia Airlines.”