Malaysian Aviation Group launching a coffee table book
Malaysia Aviation Group has unveiled a new coffee-table book, Rising to a New Horizon: A New Journey Begins. The book commemorates and highlights the key milestones in the 85 years of journey of Malaysian Airlines. It also tells the untold stories of the country’s flag bearer’s transformation, growth, and resilience.
The book presents seven chapters that narrates the airline company’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.
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 but also 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.
According to a press release, aside from MAG Group Chairman, Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin and Group Chief Executive Officer, Izham Ismail, and representatives from the airline’s stakeholders Minister of Transport of Malaysia, YB Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong was also present on the occasion of the release of the coffee table book.
“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 generations for their continued support of this national icon,” said Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.
Izham Ismail, who joined Malaysia Airlines in 1979 as a cadet pilot, expressed that the book is an ode to the national carrier that many from across Malaysia and the world have helped to build and sustain over the years. Ismail goes on to say that during the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the company looked beyond the initial crisis and instead dug deep to find the hidden opportunities that it created.
“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 pc, 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,” Ismail adds.
