Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) announced that its President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The appointment was made during the association’s 82nd Annual General Meeting, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 12, 2026.
Nasaruddin will serve a three-year term running until 2029. In the role, he joins other industry leaders in providing strategic oversight and policy direction for IATA, helping guide the association’s industry committees and subsidiary bodies on issues shaping the future of global aviation, the airline said.
Dato Amirul Feisal bin Wan Zahir, Non-Executive Director of Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad and Malaysia Airlines Berhad, welcomed the appointment on behalf of the company’s board and management.
“His appointment is a testament to his deep expertise, leadership, and long-standing contributions to the aviation industry,” he said. Amirul Feisal added that he was confident Nasaruddin would bring valuable insight to the board, “further strengthening Malaysia’s voice in global aviation and supporting the continued advancement of the industry.”
Nasaruddin described the appointment as both a privilege and a responsibility, coming at what he called a critical time for global aviation.
“I look forward to working alongside fellow Governors to contribute meaningfully to strategic dialogue and policy direction that will strengthen industry resilience, accelerate innovation, and advance a more sustainable and connected future for air transport worldwide,” he said.
According to the airline, the appointment adds to a series of senior industry roles Nasaruddin currently holds. He serves as Chairman of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Executive Committee and is a member of the oneworld Governance Board.
Nasaruddin brings more than 30 years of experience in the aviation industry to the position. He began his career with Malaysia Airlines and has since held a range of leadership roles, including Co-Chairman of the Asia and Australasia Human Factors Safety Information Network and Innovation Garage Director, a role carried out in collaboration with Khazanah Nasional and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.