Malaysia Aviation Group has announced that its long-serving Group Managing Director, Izham Ismail, will retire in early 2026 after nearly five decades with the company. This leadership change concludes a 47-year career for Izham at Malaysia Airlines and coincides with a period of financial stability and strategic restructuring.
Effective January 31, 2026, Captain Nasaruddin Bakar, currently the Chief Operating Officer of Malaysia Airlines, will assume the roles of Group Chief Executive Officer and President. The position is newly created to oversee both airline and non-airline divisions, leveraging Nasaruddin’s extensive experience from over 30 years at the carrier.
Izham, who joined Malaysia Airlines in 1979 as a pilot, ascended through management ranks to become Group Managing Director in December 2017. His leadership was instrumental during crises such as the disappearance of Flight MH370 and the downing of MH17, guiding the airline through restructuring efforts focused on fleet renewal, operational efficiency, and regional expansion.
Under his tenure, Malaysia Airlines strengthened its regional alliances and improved its financial performance through renegotiated aircraft leases and cost controls. As the airline aims to rebuild international traffic and modernize its fleet, Nasaruddin is expected to lead initiatives including fleet evaluation, digital upgrades, and customer experience enhancements, securing the airline’s ongoing recovery.
The transition is already underway, with no other executive changes announced. Malaysia Airlines continues to operate a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft from its Kuala Lumpur hub, managing several subsidiaries involved in engineering, logistics, and ground handling, as part of its comprehensive aviation group.
