The Board of Fiji Airways to very close to making a decision on the appointed of the new chief executive of the national airline, says board director, Stefan Pichler.

Mr Pichler has confirmed to the Fiji Sun that the board has met with the shortlisted candidates and is very close to making the final call.

The names of the shortlisted candidates, however, have not been revealed.

“We as a Board have to make sure that the candidate is an experienced leader with a proven track record,” he said.

“He or she has to be accepted by all our stakeholders, including our people and our customers.”

Business performance

Meanwhile, almost half way into its financial year, Fiji Airways is said to have performed well in the first quarter.

Mr Pichler said Fiji Airways has been trading above its budget levels for the first quarter of 2015.

“So far the management team and everybody at Fiji Airways has done a great job,” he said.

“I think, that we will continue with this positive trend as the forward bookings seem to be strong.”

It is understood, one of the shortlisted candidates is former SriLankan Airlines and Oman Air chief executive, Peter Hill. Mr Hill has over 40 years of experience in the industry, with his beginnings in British Airways and Gulf Air prior to playing a major role in building Emirates to what it is today.

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