Ex-AirAsia executive joins Malaysia Airports as COO

Malaysia Airport Holdings (MAHB) has appointed former AirAsia executive Mohammed Shukrie Mohammed Salleh as its new chief operating officer.

MAHB says that Shukrie will oversee strategies related to airport operations, safety and security, as well as planning and development.

Shukrie was formerly AirAsia Malaysia’s chief operating officer, before moving to the current position.

It is the second senior leadership appointment at the airport operator in 2019. In January, MAHB appointed its former finance chief Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin as its chief executive.

On Twitter, AirAsia group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes lauded the move, saying that he was “thrilled” that Shukrie would be joining MAHB.

“He values partners, can communicate well and is a positive human being and a team player. These are qualities that have been lacking in MAHB so I’m sure with him there now things will improve,” he adds.

AirAsia and MAHB have been embroiled in a legal spat over passenger service charges and service levels at Kuala Lumpur International airport. MAHB has initiated court action against the budget carrier over unpaid passenger service charges, while the low-cost carrier then responded with a counter-claim against the airport operator and has been pushing for mediation.

MAHB manages 39 Malaysian airports, including those in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu.