Kuala lumpur: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is reshaping its workplace culture to attract younger aviation talent while balancing the strengths of experienced employees as airports worldwide undergo rapid transformation driven by digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI). Its group chief people officer, Nadiah Tan Abdullah, emphasized the need for a culture that combines the resilience, speed, and ambition of young employees with the expertise and wisdom of experienced staff to improve productivity in a challenging technological environment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the airport operator is moving away from traditionally hierarchical workplace structures towards a more open and inclusive culture that encourages collaboration and continuous learning. Nadiah explained that traditionally, airlines and airports, especially in Asia, have adhered to a hierarchical system, which arranges an organization into successive levels based on importance, authority, or rank.
Nadiah highlighted the transition to an open culture during a panel session at the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition. She noted that MAHB, which manages 39 airports, is repositioning itself to appeal to younger generations entering the workforce while acknowledging the value of experienced employees with institutional knowledge.
The challenge, Nadiah said, is to blend the strengths of both young and experienced employees into an effective workforce. MAHB has launched structured talent development initiatives, including leadership and mentoring programs, to bridge generational gaps and strengthen workforce capabilities.
Nadiah pointed out that the rapid pace of technological change and digitalisation necessitates airport operators to accelerate employee upskilling to enhance productivity and passenger experience. Despite the increasing adoption of AI in airport operations, she noted the continued relevance of experienced workers.
The importance of communication and leadership during organizational transformation was also emphasized, particularly following MAHB's privatisation exercise last year. Nadiah stressed the need for consistent communication of the vision and reasons for change to maintain alignment with their mission of being the best-connected airport.
She further explained the critical role of collaboration among various stakeholders within the aviation ecosystem. Nadiah highlighted the importance of constructive collaboration between MAHB, customs, immigration, ground handlers, and airlines, despite not all being on MAHB's payroll.
Nadiah concluded by stressing the importance of employee engagement and psychological safety in ensuring successful transformation within large organizations, noting that transformation often fails due to a lack of personalized communication.