Malaysia Airlines Berhad takes flight today after receiving its Air Operator Certificate from the Department of Civil Aviation at Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport in Putrajaya on 28 August 2015.
YB Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Minister of Transport said ,”This is an important milestone in the evolution of Malaysia’s national airline. The government of Malaysia is committed to ensure that the rejuvenated Malaysia Airlines will take off on a strong note. We hope to see more progress driven by the new entity especially in terms of service levels.”
Over the past few months, the airline underwent audit activities including air worthiness of the airline’a operations, aircraft maintenance, as well as regulatory conformity to qualify for the AOC.
New Leadership Appointments
The airline also recently announced the appointment of two leadership positions – Nik Azli Abu Zahar as Executive Counsel effective 1 November 2015 and Charles D. McKee as the new Head of Marketing from 14 September 2015.
Nik has over 19 years of experience in as counsel and in-house legal and the management field. He was the General Counsel for SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad as well as Sime Darby, Energy and Utilities Division’s Head of Legal from 2010 to 2011 as well as the Legal Assistant and Partner at Zul Rafique and Partners from 2004 to 2010. Nik’s job scope will include assisting the company to set up a streamlined approach to managing, negotiating and entering into contracts with the diverse range of the airline’s business partners.
Charles McKee has 27 years of experience in marketing and managing world-class travel brands including the repositioning of Delta Hotels and Resorts brand, Canada’s largest full-service hotel company. He also held the chief marketing and other commercial leadership roles at Air Canada, the Canadian Tourism Commission, lastminute.com PLC, and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Charles graduated from Harvard in 1988 with a concentration in East Asian Studies and has lived and worked in Canada, the U.S., U.K., Japan and Hong Kong.
Airport Lounges in Perth and Singapore
Malaysia Airlines has also streamlined their airport lounges in Perth International Airport and Singapore Changi Airport from 1 September 2015. The Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge located next to the Singapore Airlines lounge at Perth International Airport will be closed.
Business Class passengers and Enrich Platinum and Gold Members as well as all oneworld Emerald and Sapphire tier members travelling in Economy Class will be able to use the Qantas International Business Lounge in Perth. The lounge is located at Gate 2 next to the Emirates lounge. As the International Airport has only 5 gates, the lounge is within short walking distance from all the gates.
The Qantas Lounge is open from 4.30am to 12 midnight on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 4.30am to 9.15am and 1pm to 12 midnight on Tuesday and Thursday.
In Singapore, the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge in Terminal Two will cease operations and the Premier Lounge located at #036-114 Departure Transit Hall, Level 3, Terminal Two, just opposite the existing Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge will be available to Business Class passengers, Enrich Platinum and Gold Members as well as all oneworld Emerald and Sapphire tier members travelling in Economy Class.
Once you pass through the departure immigration, turn left and then take the first escalator behind the information counter leading to the airline lounges. The Premier Lounge is a third party lounge and is open 24 hours, seven days a week. Shower facilities are available as well as free flow of refreshments including alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages and local signature dishes.
