MAG Launches Rising to a New Horizon: A New Journey Begins

An illustrious coffee table book encapsulating the 85-year journey of Malaysia Airlines’ transformation, growth, and resilience

KLIA, 7 July 2022: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is proud to pay tribute to the national carrier’s over 85-year journey with the unveiling of a coffee-table book titled "Rising to a New Horizon: A New Journey Begins", which will take readers on the historical journey of Malaysia Airlines. The book also tells the untold stories of the country’s flag bearer’s transformation, growth, and resilience.

"Rising to a New Horizon: A New Journey Begins" is presented in seven chapters that narrate MAG's massive transformational journey from organisational culture, performance, and business sustainability perspectives. It also reveals how MAG has faced key challenges during its transformation and overcame them with resilience and solidarity, and how the Group has prepared its people for the future by focusing on performance, digitalisation and sustainability.

This coffee table book is produced to commemorate MAG's recent successful major restructuring and is timely as it depicts the indomitable spirit and faith that have propelled it forward through the years to overcome the many adversities experienced by the Group.

The book also highlights Malaysia Airlines’ rich history and is an insightful reflection of its People, captured through curated images and moments from the airline’s past until the present day. As the national carrier approaches its 100th anniversary, this book not only signifies the exciting culmination of 85 years of iconic stories – it celebrates the progress made as the Group strives onwards towards realising its Long-term Business Plan 2.0 into a success story for the ages.

The event that took place in MAB Academy was graced by the Minister of Transport of Malaysia, YB Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong. Also present from MAG were Group Chairman, Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin and Group Chief Executive Officer, Captain Izham Ismail, and representatives from the airline’s stakeholders.

Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin commented, "Malaysia Airlines has played an integral role as the flag bearer with a deep sense of pride and responsibility whenever it flies, reuniting people with their loved ones whilst contributing significantly to the economic and social development of the country. In the days ahead, we will continue to strive with passion and emphasise our signature Malaysian Hospitality to strengthen our bonds with those who have always believed in the airline. We thank our fellow Malaysians and all our customers for their faith in the Group throughout its highs and lows. We look forward to this legacy being upheld by new generationsfor their continued support of this national icon.

Captain Izham Ismail, who joined Malaysia Airlines in 1979 as a cadet pilot, expressed, “This book is an ode to the beloved carrier that all of us, from across Malaysia and the world have helped to build and sustain over the years. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we looked beyond the initial crisis and dug deep to find the hidden opportunities that it created for us. We then embarked on a massive restructuring exercise and successfully reset our balance sheet and transformed our business dynamics to realign with our long-term aspirations and ensure business sustainability.

Malaysia Airlines has, thus far, successfully navigated through some of the worst times for the industry.When the industry was still reeling from a global crisis, we narrowed our full-year net loss for 2021 by 60%, achieving a positive EBITDA of RM433 million from strong cargo revenue performance and stringent cost management without retrenching our staff. We are set to reach breakeven by 2023, but with headwinds from fuel and forex, this may be a continuous challenge for the organisation. However, we remain bullish and focused on our path to success, yet also cautious about mitigating any future organisational shocks.”

Today, MAG is a global aviation organisation comprising three focused business portfolios from Airlines, Aviation Services and E-Commerce & Travel Services Businesses. The Group is committed to optimising its operating cost, enhancing our customer service delivery, and facilitating safe and seamless travels so it can continue to carry our duties as the flag bearer in connecting people and places. The Group is also on the path to realise its LTBP2.0 aspirations of becoming Asia’s Leading Travel and Aviation Services Group to deliver customised, end-to-end solutions for the travel ecosystem for enhanced connectivity, and improved customer experience, that is economically viable for the sustainability of the organisation.