Malaysia Airlines names company veteran Izham Ismail as new group CEO

Malaysia Airlines announced on Friday that a company veteran, COO Izham Ismail, will be the group's new CEO following the departure of Irishman Peter Bellew. Izham will be the troubled company's third CE in three years as it continues to recover from the disappearance of flight MH370 as well as the downing of MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014. Izham will assume the role on Dec 1, taking over from Bellew whose abrupt resignation after just over a year in the job was announced on Tuesday. The Irishman, who will return to Ryanair, is currently on administrative leave. MAS chairman Md Nor Yusof said of Izham:"He has a valuable breadth of understanding that spans airline operations and business management. I am proud that he is our own internal home grown talent and I am confident that he will be able to take the airline further forward and ensure the turnaround plan is met.” To ensure a smooth transition, a Board Executive Committee will be in place for up to six months, the company said. <br/>