Malaysia Airlines has appointed Arved von zur Muehlen as CCO, effective Sept. 5, succeeding Paul Simmons who will be leaving in mid-September. Malaysia Airlines CEO Peter Bellew said von zur Muehlen will “focus on developing a comprehensive and sustainable plan to improve Malaysia Airlines’ marketing, sales, products and customer service.” The company said von zur Muehlen is formerly Qatar Airways SVP-commercial network operations and Swiss International Air Lines as VP-international sales across 18 online markets. He also spent over 15 years with Lufthansa Airlines covering a wide breadth of portfolios in revenue management, sales and marketing and left the airline as MD-Greater China. According to a company statement, he will play a crucial role in the next phase of the turnaround, focusing on restoring Malaysia Airlines' position as a leading international carrier and developing innovative customer-centric services—part of the company’s marketing strategy to increase sales and promote Malaysia as a destination.<br/>
oneworld
A golfer competing in the Olympics has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, however, his golf clubs have not. Emiliano Grillo of Argentina went on a tweet storm Monday saying he was worried he might not get a chance to compete after American Airlines lost his golf clubs. “(at)AmericanAir delays, rerouting and 20+ calls can’t find my golf bag. I am going to miss my chance to compete in the Olympics,” Grillo tweeted. He continued, “(at)AmericanAir seriously, find me a human in JFK, MIA, or Sao Paolo that can physically look for my bag and confirm where it is and send it.” Grillo even joked that more people would be looking for his golf clubs if they were Pokemon. American Airlines tweeted back at Grillo, saying that they have a “team of folks working” to find his golf bag. Grillo is scheduled to tee off Thursday.<br/>
Qantas will reveal its first Dreamliner routes by the end of the year, with a direct service between London and Perth a distinct possibility. The Australian flag carrier will receive its first Boeing 787 – also known as the Dreamliner – in 2017, but will announce new routes for the plane later this year. Were the London-Perth service given the go-ahead, it would rival the current longest flight in the world, the Emirates Dubai to Auckland service, which clocks in at 8,819 miles and takes 17 hours and 15 minutes. Qantas also announced that it would be cancelling the remaining eight orders it has for the Airbus A380, dealing another blow for the superjumbo. The world’s largest passenger plane is a firm favourite amongst travellers, but airline demand for the jet has failed to meet expectations. <br/>