Datuk Captain Izham Ismail took over Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) in 2017 under extraordinary pressure, assuming leadership within 72 hours while the national carrier faced liabilities of RM25.7 billion and widespread doubts about its survival.
Rather than focusing solely on financial fixes, the former pilot prioritized rebuilding internal culture, enforcing performance standards, and restoring belief among employees, arguing that no airline can recover if its people have lost faith in excellence.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Izham reframed the global shutdown as a “gift of time,” personally negotiating with 75 creditors over 133 days and successfully eliminating RM15 billion in debt, a restructuring that reset the airline’s future.
He also protected Malaysia Airlines’ premium identity, insisting that “Malaysian hospitality” at 30,000 feet remained a national asset, choosing long-term value over cost-cutting strategies that could erode the brand’s core character.
Izham stepped down after MAG posted a RM766 million net profit in 2023—its first major profit after a decade of losses—leaving behind not just a stronger balance sheet, but a leadership legacy centered on resilience, cultural renewal, and sustainable transformation.
