Peter Bellew, who served just over a year as CEO of Malaysia Airlines, is leaving the carrier to return to Ryanair as chief operations officer.
Ryanair announced last month that Bellew will oversee the airline’s flight operations, ground operations and engineering. His remit will include pilot recruitment, training and career development, as well as ensuring operational resilience across the network.
The move brings Bellew back to Ryanair to help prevent a repeat of the pilot rostering failure the airline experienced in September. He is due to start the new role on Dec. 1 and previously left Ryanair in 2014.
“I am excited to return home to Ryanair and take up the challenge to grow the operation sustainably,” Bellew said in a statement. “I look forward to working with all the team and all the crews I know so well to further develop our growth to 600 aircraft over the next six years.”
Reports indicated the announcement surprised some executives at Malaysia Airlines, since Bellew had publicly affirmed his commitment to the Asian carrier. Bellew joined Malaysia Airlines as CEO in September 2015.