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Malaysia Airlines 'technically bankrupt' | Malaysia Airlines 'technically bankrupt' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Malaysia Airlines is "technically bankrupt", its chief executive has said, as he announced a restructuring programme and plans to cut around 6,000 jobs. | Malaysia Airlines is "technically bankrupt", its chief executive has said, as he announced a restructuring programme and plans to cut around 6,000 jobs. |
The announcement follows the twin air disasters which forced its government rescue last year. | The announcement follows the twin air disasters which forced its government rescue last year. |
The airline said it had "offered jobs" to 14,000 of its 20,000 workforce. | The airline said it had "offered jobs" to 14,000 of its 20,000 workforce. |
The move was expected and follows the appointment of new chief executive Christoph Mueller in May. | The move was expected and follows the appointment of new chief executive Christoph Mueller in May. |
"We are technically bankrupt," Mr Mueller told a news conference. "The decline of performance started long before the tragic events of 2014." | "We are technically bankrupt," Mr Mueller told a news conference. "The decline of performance started long before the tragic events of 2014." |
In March last year, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared with 239 passengers and crew aboard. The plane is still missing. | In March last year, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared with 239 passengers and crew aboard. The plane is still missing. |
Four months later, flight MH17 was shot down by a suspected ground-to-air missile while in Ukrainian airspace, with the loss of 298 passengers and crew. | Four months later, flight MH17 was shot down by a suspected ground-to-air missile while in Ukrainian airspace, with the loss of 298 passengers and crew. |
The twin air disasters proved to be the final straw for the already struggling business, which had reported losses for several years as a result of strong regional competition. | The twin air disasters proved to be the final straw for the already struggling business, which had reported losses for several years as a result of strong regional competition. |
Mr Mueller was making his first public appearance as chief executive since being hired by the carrier's owner, Malaysian state fund Khazanah, to lead the restructuring. | Mr Mueller was making his first public appearance as chief executive since being hired by the carrier's owner, Malaysian state fund Khazanah, to lead the restructuring. |
He has previously led the recoveries of Ireland's Aer Lingus, Belgium's Sabena and Germany's Lufthansa airlines. Famed for slashing jobs at the airlines, he has earned the nickname "the Terminator". | He has previously led the recoveries of Ireland's Aer Lingus, Belgium's Sabena and Germany's Lufthansa airlines. Famed for slashing jobs at the airlines, he has earned the nickname "the Terminator". |
Malaysia Airlines had previously disclosed plans to cut 6,000 jobs, shrinking its workforce to 14,000. | |
Mr Mueller said the airline could not expect that 100% of the job offers it had made would be accepted. He said this was because the airline expected staff to have received offers from rival airlines. | Mr Mueller said the airline could not expect that 100% of the job offers it had made would be accepted. He said this was because the airline expected staff to have received offers from rival airlines. |
"We will embark on a second round in two weeks' time and that will allow others to accept our offers and that may change the numbers," he added. | |
Under Mr Mueller's leadership, Malaysia Airlines plans to rebrand on 1 September. | |
The airline's immediate priority is to "stop the bleeding" in 2015, it said. | |
It hopes then to stabilise next year, and seek to start growing again by 2017. | It hopes then to stabilise next year, and seek to start growing again by 2017. |
To achieve those aims it will reduce staff and "rationalise route systems," which was likely to lead a reduction in costly routes to Europe and lead to a greater focus on regional routes. | To achieve those aims it will reduce staff and "rationalise route systems," which was likely to lead a reduction in costly routes to Europe and lead to a greater focus on regional routes. |
Are you affected by this? Do you work for Malaysia Airlines? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Please remember to leave your phone number if you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist. |