The Malaysia Airlines board on Wednesday backed the leadership of the national carrier following criticism over a string of flight delays.

Senior government ministers were among hundreds of passengers left stranded by severe flight delays last month.

One senator called for the airline's managing director to be sacked.

"The board is confident that (managing director) Idris Jala (photo) and his team are on top of these issues and will address them in a way that will satisfy internal and external stakeholders," Munir Majid, Malaysia Airlines' chairman, said in a statement.

Malaysia Airlines is undergoing a major restructuring aimed at reviving the ailing carrier after it reported a RM1.14 billion net loss for 2005.

Idris was brought in by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in December 2005 to revive the airline.

Munir said passenger safety had not been compromised by the delays.

"The airline is now at the crossroads, under... Idris of achieving a complete turnaround making it more competitive in a difficult industry," he said.