Malaysia Airlines has appointed Aer Lingus boss Christoph Mueller to be its new CEO.
He will be the first ever foreigner to head up the airline, which has struggled financially following two disasters this year - the loss of flight MH370 en route to China, and the destruction of flight MH17 over Ukraine with the loss of 298 lives.
The appointment follows a major restructuring announcement earlier this year which will see Malaysia cut 30 per cent of its workforce and slash many long-haul routes.
Khazanah Nasional, Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund and MAS's parent company, said discussions were continuing for Mueller to assume his new post before 1 May 2015, but no earlier than 1 March 2015.
Mueller's Aer Lingus notice period ends on 1 May.
"The appointments announced today are part of efforts by the government and Khazanah to lay strong foundations for the future success of our national carrier," Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said.
MalaysiaAirlines.com