Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, the managing director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), has once again demonstrated his exemplary leadership, steering MAG to another strong year with a net profit of RM54 million for the financial year 2024. Despite an 18% capacity reduction triggered by global supply chain disruptions, MAG maintained its resilience and reported its third consecutive year of operating profit, amounting to RM113 million.
Captain Izham candidly highlighted the impact, stating, “With our overall performance for the year, we are really behind because of the capacity cuts we did in Q4. If we had not made those cuts, we estimated that the group’s profit could have reached RM580 million. For Malaysia Airlines Bhd alone, the improvement would have been close to RM300 million. We ended the year with a strong RM3 billion cash balance and no further shareholder injections.”
Humble Beginnings: From Poverty to Pilot
Before he ever stepped into a cockpit, Datuk Captain Izham Ismail had dreams of building bridges, literally. “I wanted to be a civil engineer. I wanted to build bridges,” he admits ruefully.
But life had other plans. When faced with the urgency of helping his family, he took on the role of a cadet pilot, knowing it was the fastest way to bring home an income.
“I was born poor,” he says candidly.
It was his mother, a determined woman of grit and resourcefulness, who kept the family afloat. From selling nasi lemak and kuih to hawking fabric door to door, she hustled day and night to put food on the table.
Life in their small attap-roofed house in Jalan Kampung Perak, Alor Setar, was a constant struggle. “I’d keep the money I earned selling nasi lemak before school, and would go hungry during recess,” he recounts.
“To curb hunger pangs, I’d drink water from the nearest tap to fill my stomach,” he remembers.
“I tasted poverty. I realised from early on that education would be my lifeline to get out of being poor.”
Izham’s determination led him to earn a scholarship to study marine engineering in England. But his sisters had already taken a leap of faith, applying on his behalf to Malaysia Airlines’ cadet program.
“I was set on pursuing my studies but my sister begged me to go for the interview. She realised this would be the fastest way to earn a decent living for the family,” he recalls.
Out of 3,700 hopefuls, only seven were selected for the intensive two-year fast-track program. Izham was one of them. “I didn’t expect to succeed and didn’t even know what the job entailed. Fly planes? Okay sure,” he shares.
“My starting salary was RM150, a princely sum to me at that time. I realised that my ambitions to further my studies had to wait. I needed to support my family first.”
He holds deep gratitude for the opportunity he was given. “The organisation paved the way for me to get my family out of poverty,” he shares. It took him five years to do it.
During his pilot training in the Philippines, his mother’s entrepreneurial spirit bore fruit. “Any Kedahan would’ve heard about Kuah Rojak Mak Bee,” he says proudly. “That was my mother’s business.”
Explore: Did You Know Rojak Mak Bee’s Founder is The Mother of Malaysia Airlines’ CEO?
Setting Records, Forging a Legacy
Izham first gained international recognition in 1997 when he co-piloted a record-breaking Boeing 777 flight around the world in just under 42 hours.
Reflecting on this historic moment, he remarked, “To be able to fly an aeroplane in 42 hours, circumnavigating the world and the Tropic of Cancer… It was very interesting and something to remember for the rest of my life.”
This achievement highlighted not only his exceptional piloting skills but also his potential for outstanding leadership, shaped by empathy and community-mindedness; values inherited from his mother.
“I was in South America when my mother passed away. I flew back to her grave,” he recounts regretfully. His younger sister recorded the funeral and he was astounded to see the crowd that gathered at his mother’s burial.
They showed up in tears, lamenting: “Mak Bee tak boleh mati! Mak Bee tak boleh pi! Siapa nak bagi beras? Siapa nak bagi gula? Siapa nak bagi duit? Siapa nak bagi makan?” (Mak Bee cannot die! Mak Bee cannot go! Who will give us rice, sugar, money and food?)
“I realised she needed money from me every month because all income generated from her business was channelled back towards the community!” he says
This compassionate approach continues to inspire MAG employees, creating a supportive and united workplace culture.
Izham’s leadership was profoundly tested during the MH370 and MH17 tragedies. Despite the immense challenges, Izham stepped into the CEO role in 2017, humbly acknowledging, “I’m just a pilot.”
Under his guidance, MAG undertook strategic actions, including a historic RM15 billion debt restructuring during the COVID-19 pandemic, which safeguarded thousands of jobs. Clearly articulating his vision, Izham stated, “We became surgically critical on efficiency. We focused on customers, we focused on our people, and we were very clear on our revenue strategy.”
Visionary Leadership and Future Expansion
Captain Izham has driven ambitious fleet modernization plans, enthusiastically stating, “Two new Airbus A330neo aircraft have already entered service on long-haul routes, with eight more expected this year. The group is also set to resume flights to Paris in March 2025, reinforcing its European footprint.”
Despite operational setbacks, Izham remains optimistic about MAG’s future, noting, “Forward bookings have increased by about 9% year-on-year, driven by strong demand across key markets including Asean, Australia, New Zealand, and South Asia.”
Izham’s extraordinary journey, from humble beginnings selling nasi lemak to leading MAG through turbulent skies, is an inspiring testament to resilience, humility, and visionary leadership. His life and leadership inspire generations to dream big, overcome challenges, and lead with compassion and determination.
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