Paul Scurrah is new Chief Executive Officer of Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways has announced the appointment of Paul Scurrah as its new managing director and chief executive officer, effective November 1, 2025.

The announcement was made by Fiji Airways Group chairman, Nalin Patel, who described Mr Scurrah as an ideal leader to guide the airline into its next chapter.

Mr Scurrah brings over 20 years of executive experience across aviation, transport, logistics, and tourism.

“On behalf of the Board and the entire Fiji Airways Group, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Paul Scurrah as the incoming managing director and chief executive officer of Fiji Airways, effective 1 November 2025,” Mr Patel said in a statement.

“Mr Scurrah brings to the role more than two decades of executive experience across aviation, transport, logistics and tourism. His proven track record in leading complex organisations, driving cultural transformation, results-driven leadership, and delivering exceptional stakeholder value makes him an ideal leader for our next chapter.”

Mr Scurrah most recently served as CEO of Pacific National, Australia’s largest private rail freight company, where he led a transformation focused on operational excellence and commercial sustainability.

He previously held the top role at Virgin Australia, where he was credited with steering the airline through the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership preserved core routes, safeguarded jobs, and positioned the airline for recovery. Mr Scurrah also held senior roles at Queensland Rail, DP World Australia, and was a founding executive and investor in Rex Airlines.

Mr Scurrah’s appointment follows a global search process. The Board expressed confidence in his ability to navigate the evolving aviation landscape while maintaining Fiji Airways’ reputation for customer excellence and financial discipline.

“Marked by operational discipline and a strong safety ethos, Mr Scurrah’s leadership style is defined by integrity, resilience, and strategic clarity. He is widely regarded for his ability to motivate diverse teams, foster high-performance cultures, and deliver long term, measurable results in the most challenging environments,” Mr Patel said.

The announcement also marks the departure of Andre Viljoen, who served as CEO for the past decade. Mr Viljoen will remain on the Fiji Airways Board and take up a new role as CEO of Air Mauritius.

Under Mr Viljoen’s leadership, Fiji Airways achieved significant milestones:

• Fleet expansion from 12 to 23 aircraft, including Airbus A350s;
• Revenue growth from FJ$815.3 million in 2015 to FJ$1.9 billion in 2024;
• Recognition as an APEX World Class Airline 2026 and SKYTRAX global ranking improvement from 102nd to 14th;
• Launch of the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy, now a regional hub for pilot training;
• A robust COVID-19 response, including 523 repatriation flights and over 17,000 tonnes of freight moved; and
• Record-breaking growth in 2023 post-pandemic.

Mr. Patel praised Mr Viljoen’s legacy, stating, “His commitment to excellence, innovation, and national pride has left a lasting impact on Fiji Airways and the region.”

Fiji Airways looks ahead to a new era under Mr Scurrah’s leadership, with continued focus on innovation, national pride, and regional excellence.