Kudos To Idris Jala

When Idris Jala was appointed CEO, I was skeptical whether he could turn around the culture at MAS. Things have gotten so bad that MAS was better known as the airline that won't take off on time, or arrive on time, and is likely to be the most expensive carrier. One thing though, I do agree that its Business Class is one leg above the rest. Jala has done wonders on things financial. Culturally, it still a work-in-progress, and hopefully Jala will be able to inject the necessary changes there as well.

Malaysia Airlines managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala has been named Orient Aviation Person of the Year 2008 for the being the driving force behind the national carrier's "amazing comeback."

While many had once written the airline off, Jala managed to return the company to profitability, compared to when it was facing record losses when he took over in 2005, according to a statement from the airline released today.

In 2007, Malaysia Airlines recorded a profit of RM851 million, its highest in 60 years of operation and is only one of the 6 airlines in the world recognized as a "5-Star airline" by Skytrax, UK, an accolade that it has won for three consecutive years, 2006-2008.

Jala said: "I am pleased and honoured to accept this award. My team and I have worked hard to turnaround our airline. Now, we are embarking on a business transformation journey in pursuit of our vision to become the World's Five Star Value carrier. I am blessed with a great team of people who are passionate about the airline."

Orient Aviation Chief Executive, Mr Barry Grindrod said: "Jala has changed the way the company does business. He acts speedily and decisively.

In the last three years, he has slashed US$500 million off costs at MAS. He is on target for additional cuts of US280 million (RM980 million) in operational costs this year.

Significantly, he has also restored morale at the carrier, which was rock bottom when he arrived.

"Jala's stewardship at MAS is an object lesson for any struggling airline management team. And word travels fast.

He may be a relative "new boy" to aviation, but there is no shortage of people wanting to hear about his turnaround miracle. He has quickly become one of the most highly respected CEOs in the industry worldwide.

Orient Aviation, one of the most respected aviation magazines in the Asia Pacific region, presents the Person of the Year award each year to the airline Chief Executive judged to have done the best job in managing his carrier in the previous 12 months.

Previous winners of the award, which was established in 1999, include Chew Choong Seng, Singapore Airlines; Geoff Dixon, Qantas Airways; Jaime Bautista, Philippine Airlines; Kanok Abhiradee, Thai Airways International and David Turnbull, Cathay Pacific Airways.

p/s photos: Zhou Wei Tong