Idris Jala
Managing Director/CEO, Malaysia Airlines
Idris Jala was appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Malaysia Airlines in December 2005, in the aftermath of the company’s biggest financial loss in its corporate history. In February 2006, Idris announced the airline’s Business Turnaround Plan (BTP 1). From a 9 month loss of RM1.3 billion or USD400 million in 2005, Idris managed to turnaround the company in less than 2 years and the airline achieved a record profit of RM851 million or USD266 million in 2007.
Building upon its successful BTP 1, Idris announced Malaysia Airlines’ 5-year Business Transformation Plan (BTP 2) in January 2008 with bold profit targets of up to RM2-3 billion or USD625-USD938 million per annum by 2012. Under the BTP 2, Malaysia Airlines aspires to achieve the profit targets by transforming into the World’s Five Star Value Carrier, offering 5-Star products and services at affordable prices.
Idris also sits on the Board of Tourism Malaysia. In 2006, Idris was appointed onto the IATA Board of Governors, the international organisation that deals with contemporary issues and developments in the aviation industry.
Previously, Idris was the Managing Director, Shell MDS (Malaysia) and Vice President, Shell Malaysia Gas & Power (Malaysia). Idris successfully led the business turnaround of Shell MDS, the first Gas-to-Liquids commercial plant in the world located and also the sole supplier of clean diesel fuel for Athens Olympic in 2004.
Between 2000 and 2002, Idris held the position of Vice President, Retail Marketing in Shell International based in London. He was also the Vice President of Business Development Consultancy where he led a team of top notched internal consultants on radical business improvement projects. Working closely with the global retail community, Idris revamped the Shell global retail business model such that it is more competitive and capable of achieving profitable growth.
Between 1998 and 2000, Idris was the Managing Director of Shell Sri Lanka, where he helped in shaping the turnaround of Shell’s LPG business in Sri Lanka.
Idris holds a Bachelor degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia and a Masters degree from Warwick University, United Kingdom.
