Fiji Airways has announced that its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andre Viljoen, will step down from his role effective October 2025. An international search is now underway to find a suitable successor for the airline’s top position. The role will be advertised internally, across Fiji, and globally, with all qualified candidates encouraged to apply.

Chairperson of Fiji Airways, Nalin Patel, confirmed that Viljoen has accepted a new role as CEO of Air Mauritius and will return home after a decade of distinguished leadership with the Fijian national carrier.

On behalf of the Board and the entire Fiji Airways Group, Patel extended heartfelt gratitude to Viljoen for his exemplary service and transformational leadership over the past ten years.

Under Viljoen’s leadership, Fiji Airways has seen tremendous progress:

• The airline's global SKYTRAX ranking leaped from 102nd in 2015 to 14th in 2024.
  
• It earned the title of "Best Airline in Australia/Pacific" two years in a row.
  
• Achieved APEX 5-Star Major Airline rating for three consecutive years.
  
• Doubled its fleet from 12 aircraft in 2015 to 24, including four state-of-the-art Airbus A350s.
  
• Increased annual revenue from $815.3 million in 2015 to $1.9 billion in 2024.
  

One of Viljoen’s standout achievements was establishing the world-class Fiji Airways Aviation Academy. Equipped with four full-flight simulators, the facility has helped develop local pilot talent, enhance training standards, and attract major international airlines like Air Tahiti, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas for simulator training.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Viljoen’s strategic foresight through the "Future-Fit Ready Strategy" enabled the airline to weather the global crisis. Fiji Airways conducted 523 repatriation flights and transported over 17,800 tonnes of freight while other carriers remained grounded. The airline was also the first to resume flights to Australia and New Zealand, setting the stage for record-breaking post-pandemic growth in 2023.

To ensure a smooth transition, Viljoen will remain on the Board of Directors after stepping down. Patel emphasized that there is no conflict of interest, as Fiji Airways and Air Mauritius serve different markets.

The airline now looks ahead to a new chapter, building on the strong foundation laid by Viljoen over the past decade.