Luqman is MASkargo acting CEO

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) has appointed Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi acting CEO with the departure of Mohd Yunus Idris, according to a source.
Luqman's appointment is much anticipated by the industry, the source said, as he is known as a "people-person" who is a right fit for the job.
Luqman, in his new role, will have his work cut out for him though, considering the state that the air cargo industry is in with increased downward pressure on margins and ongoing issues at its Advanced Cargo Centre (ACC) in KLIA.
The Air Freight Forwarders' Association Malaysia (Afam) has consistently aired grouses over the unsatisfactory service at the ACC due to a shortage of manpower with appointed vendors.
In the first quarter of the financial period ended March 31, 2014, MASkargo made a net loss of RM48 million compared with a net loss of RM49.8 million for the same period in 2013. This was on lower revenue of RM435.1 million for the period, compared with RM449.1 million a year ago.
Industry players opine that Luqman is the man for the job though, considering his experience.
Prior to his appointment as acting CEO, Luqman was vice president global sales and government affairs, a post he held from December 2012.
Luqman joined MASkargo in 1997 as a project executive overseeing the ACC KLIA development. In 2002, he was put in charge of the Penang Cargo terminal before he was brought back to take charge of the ACC in 2005. In 2007, Luqman was made regional cargo sales head, after which he was promoted to the position of vice president global sales and government affairs.