SKS Airways names Rohman Ahmad as accountable manager

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 22): SKS Airways Sdn Bhd has named its executive director Datuk Rohman Ahmad as the accountable manager of the airline, after its chief executive officer Dzuleira Abu Bakar resigned just two months into the job on Nov 10.

In a statement on Wednesday, SKS Airways said Rohman will “continue to steer the airline towards its next phase of growth and beyond”.

“The company has accepted her decision and extended its deepest gratitude for Dzuleira’s invaluable contributions during her tenure,” Rohman said, with no reasons given.

“Dzuleira’s leadership, despite its brevity, has left a significant impact on our organisation. We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks for her contributions to SKS Airways, which will always be appreciated,” he added.

Dzuleira took the helm of SKS Airways from Rohman, who was then acting CEO, on Sept 15 “to accelerate the full potential and growth of SKS Airways as a leading regional carrier that delivers long-term growth and value for all our shareholders”.

Prior to joining the airline, she was CEO of the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation. Her appointment followed a signing in May between SKS Airways and Embraer Asia-Pacific and US-based aircraft lessor Azorra Aviation Holdings to lease 10 Embraer E195-E2 jets in a deal worth more than US$840 million (RM3.9 billion) from Azorra.

On Tuesday, SKS Airways said initial payments — including the upfront security deposit — to secure the 10 E-195-E2s have been fully paid. The airline was responding to recent news reports that SKS Airways was seeking funding from various parties to pay for commitments of the Embraer jets, the deliveries of which will begin by the second quarter of 2024, instead of January, as initially scheduled.

“Payments to secure the 10 aircraft had been fully paid to our lessor Azzora. The subsequent payments are due when the aircraft are delivered,” SKS Airways told The Edge in a statement issued late Tuesday evening.

SKS Airways says it has no financial problems, flights halted due to monsoon season