KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 26): Malindo Air announced today Captain Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri's appointment as chief executive officer (CEO), effective Sept 23 this year. Mushafiz will take over from current CEO Chandran Rama Muthy, the airline said.

Malindo said in a statement today Mushafiz is currently director of safety, security and quality of Thai Lion Air, a low-cost airline within Lion Group.

According to the statement, Lion Group comprises five airlines, namely Lion Air, Batik Air, Wings Air, Malindo Air and Thai Lion Air.

"He (Mushafiz) began his career as a trained pilot from the Australia Aviation School, Adelaide and has operated various types of aircraft including the variants Boeing 737 and Boeing 777. In 2013, Captain Mushafiz started his path with the Lion Group from Malindo Air as one of the pioneer batch of pilots and played a key part as a management pilot in the early days of the airline.

"Later in the same year, he was seconded to Thai Lion Air, which was also then a start-up airline. He has held various operational roles including as deputy flight operations director. He brings forth over 24 years of aviation experience both as flying and management pilot as well as instructor and examiner," the airline said.

Malindo said Chandran, who will remain in Lion Group, will take on a new role as group strategic director of Lion Group.

"He will be tasked to drive greater synergy within the Lion Group by overseeing new developments and strategic directions for all of the five carriers (AOCs — air operator's certificates) alongside putting in place financial management systems and developing alternative business streams.

"He will however continue to remain as a shareholder of Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd," it said.