Still loved

"Ever since I was a teenager, I wanted to travel the world, and I believed that being a flight attendant was the best way to do that," Aishah, a former crew member of Malaysia Airlines, told DW. She added that while Malaysia's national carrier had made headlines for all the wrong reasons, it still had a special place in the hearts of many Malaysians.

"I was proud to be among the staff," said Hashim, another crew member. He said that after the MH370 and MH17 incidents, he got scared and couldn't keep working anymore. (Ed. Note: Names have been changed)

Approximately 200 employees have resigned since the twin tragedies, and according to Aishah and Hashim, the primary reason is fear.

Before the tragedies, Malaysia Airlines (also known as MAS) was already in a precarious financial position. The airline will now embark on its fifth economic recovery plan in 10 years, and it will need more than goodwill to survive. Not only will it have to properly execute a comprehensive overhaul, but also rebuild a reputation for safety that has been virtually destroyed with the disappearance of MH370 in March, and the downing of MH17 in July.

“MAS is very important for us, it is part of our identity," Mohammed Noor, an aviation analyst in Kaula Lumpur, told DW. "We grew up with it, we understand what it represents, but we can only support it thus far. I don't imagine a lot of French, Dutch and Germans want to come to this part of the world using MAS any more."

'Damaged brand'

Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, the airline's chief executive, said in the statement that "MAS is operating in a harsh business environment."

"Coupled with the impact of the two tragedies, which have damaged our brand, the need to restructure our company was accelerated. The full financial impact is expected to hit Malaysia in the second half of the year," Yahya said.

His statement comes as the airline announced losses of 96.5 million USD in the three months ending in June, as revenue fell sharply.

According to Khazanah Nasional, a state investment fund which is a major shareholder of MAS, it plans to remove Malaysia Airlines from the stock exchange by the end of 2014 in order to move ahead with its 12-point "MAS Recovery Plan."

However, obtaining the support of the carrier's eight unions and staff associations will be essential. The Malaysia Airlines Systems Employees Union successfully lobbied against a previous overhaul proposal.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia, which represents about 1,500 cabin crew, has found itself in a court battle with management over recognition.

Low morale

Ismail Nasaruddin, the union's former president, said that the tragedies of MH17 and MH370 had affected the morale of staff still working in the industry.

Aisha and Hashim concur. "Many of my colleagues are afraid. They also fear that they will lose their jobs," Hashim said.

The "MAS Recovery Plan" will require fewer staff – about 6,000 people are expected to lose their jobs.

"My colleagues feel that the company's management is not telling them everything. They feel completely in the dark, and this only adds to their anxiety because it is the cabin crew that is in the front line if anything is to happen again," Aishah told DW.

The company is attempting to boost low morale with regular briefings and discussions with staff. Khazanah insists it is "committed to ensuring that the process of transfer, migration and separation is conducted with the utmost care, fairness and due process."

Those leaving the company will reportedly obtain financial compensation, and two outsourcing companies have agreed to provide training and employment for as many as 3,500 former Malaysia Airlines staff.

"Malaysia Airlines has to keep going. It has to keep trying to regain the trust of the public, locally and globally. And over time, confidence may return, but it's just not going to be soon," said Hashim.