Malaysia Aviation Group Appoints Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar as New President and Group CEO, Effective 2026

Leadership Transition Marks a New Chapter for Malaysia Aviation Group

The Board of Directors of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) announced that Captain Izham Ismail will retire from his role as Group Managing Director on January 31, 2026, concluding a career spanning more than four decades with the organisation. In line with MAG’s strategic succession plan, Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, also known as Captain Nasa, has been appointed as President and Group Chief Executive Officer, a new designation succeeding the former Group Managing Director role.

Captain Izham joined Malaysia Airlines in 1979 as a pilot and held several leadership positions before being appointed Group Managing Director on December 1, 2017. During his tenure, he led the Group through financial restructuring and operational recovery initiatives that helped return MAG to profitability. The Group’s strengthened financial position now enables it to pursue its next phase of sustainable growth under new leadership.

Captain Nasa, a long-serving leader with over three decades of experience in flight operations and management within MAG, most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Malaysia Airlines. His career includes leadership of transformation initiatives such as the turnaround of MASwings in 2022 and the implementation of profit-driven frameworks under the Group’s Long-Term Business Plan 2.0 (LTBP2.0).

As President and Group CEO, Captain Nasa will focus on executing MAG’s strategic priorities, driving operational excellence, enhancing customer experience and promoting sustainable growth across both its airline and non-airline businesses as the Group advances towards its LTBP3.0 vision.

Captain Nasa will be supported by the management team across MAG’s three profit centres – Airline Business, Loyalty and Travel Services, and Aviation Services.

Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Board Member of MAG and Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, said:
“On behalf of the Board and the entire MAG family, we extend our sincere gratitude to Captain Izham for his outstanding service and leadership. He has exemplified relentless commitment, integrity and passion in guiding MAG through pivotal periods of transformation and growth. His tenure has strengthened the Group, defined its strategic direction and fostered a high-performance culture that positions MAG for continued success. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours.

We are pleased to welcome Captain Nasa as President and Group CEO of Malaysia Aviation Group. He brings extensive experience within the Group and a deep understanding of the business and industry. The Board has full confidence in his leadership to advance MAG’s strategic priorities and strengthen the Group’s position in a competitive global aviation landscape.”