Harridon Suffian of the Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology at University Kuala Lumpur told FMT that there were too many factions associated with the airline that were looking after their own interests.
“They look at ways to reap short-term benefits,” he said.
“If a company’s equipment or component supply is stopped for a cheaper alternative, there would be many objections. They do not see the reasons, such as that it could benefit the airline in the long run.”
He was commenting on the sudden resignation of MAS CEO Christoph Mueller.
Harridon said Mueller’s measures to bring back MAS to profitability were the “straight forward methods” of reducing the staff size and giving up unprofitable routes.
“But even that may have seen objections,” he said. “They would want the unprofitable routes to be retained.”
He said it would have taken a Malaysian five to six years to make the cuts that Mueller made in less than a year because the Malaysian would probably be linked to some of the factions.
“Mueller carried out processes that focused on optimising business. Unless and until Malaysians change their mindset to focus on optimising business, the outlook for the airline industry will continue to be gloomy.”
He acknowledged that there were Malaysians who knew of good methods for optimising business but added that these methods would not be put to use until there was “a change in mindsets”.
Harridon nevertheless hopes that the person replacing Mueller will “abide by the book and be neutral”.
“That will be the only way for MAS to move forward,” he said.
Mueller on Tuesday announced his exit from MAS although his contract was valid for about two more years.