Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will be losing its second chief executive officer in less than three years.

Newspaper The Irish Times reported that Peter Bellew, who became MAS CEO in July 2016, would be returning to Ryanair.

The report said Bellew will serve as the Irish carrier's chief operations officer effective Dec 1.

This was despite his denial last month that he would be leaving MAS, after being spotted at the Irish airline's headquarters in Dublin.

Bellew, in a statement released by Ryanair, said he was pleased to return to his former company.

“I am excited to return home to Ryanair and take up the challenge to grow the operation sustainably...