Malaysia Airlines "technically bankrupt", says new CEO

The new chief executive officer of troubled carrier Malaysia Airlines has said the company is "technically bankrupt" following two aviation tragedies that left the company reeling last year.

Christoph Mueller revealed on Monday his plans to cut about 6,000 jobs as part of his restructuring programme.

Mueller noted in a press conference that the weak performance had started "long before the tragic events of 2014".

He is known for cutting jobs in his previous roles in carriers such as Aer Lingus and Lufthansa, which led to the nickname of "The Terminator".

The carrier was hit last year by the disappearance of its Flight MH370 in March and the downing of its Flight MH17 in Ukraine in July, killing all 298 people on board.

However, the airline's boss also said it plans to growth by 2017.