Fiji Airways has announced the appointment of Mr. Paul Scurrah as the incoming Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 November 2025. Mr. Scurrah brings over two decades of executive experience across aviation, transport, logistics, and tourism. He has a proven record in leading complex organisations, driving cultural transformation, delivering results, and creating exceptional stakeholder value, positioning him as a strong leader for Fiji Airways’ next chapter.
Most recently, Mr. Scurrah served as CEO of Pacific National, Australia’s largest private rail freight company. During his tenure, he led a comprehensive transformation focused on operational excellence, safety innovation, and commercial sustainability. His leadership included investments in new technologies and rolling stock, strengthening customer partnerships, and reinforcing the company’s critical role in the national supply chain.
Previously, Mr. Scurrah was CEO of Virgin Australia, the nation’s second-largest airline. He built strong momentum across operations, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction and was recognised for steering the airline through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. When international travel came to a halt, he led a rapid restructuring that preserved core routes, safeguarded jobs, and positioned the airline for recovery.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Scurrah held appointments at Queensland Rail and DP World Australia, where he spearheaded large-scale infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements while strengthening stakeholder trust. He also held executive roles in customer service, sales, and distribution within the airline industry, and was a founding executive and investor in Rex Airlines, Australia’s largest independent regional airline.
Mr. Scurrah’s leadership is characterised by operational discipline, a strong safety ethos, integrity, resilience, and strategic clarity. He is widely recognised for motivating diverse teams, fostering high-performance cultures, and delivering long-term, measurable results in complex environments.
The appointment followed a comprehensive internal, national, and global search process. The Fiji Airways Board expressed confidence that under Mr. Scurrah’s leadership, the airline will continue to thrive amidst the dynamic challenges of global aviation, delivering excellence to customers and stakeholders while maintaining strong financial performance and national pride.
The Board also extended its gratitude to Mr. Andre Viljoen for a decade of exceptional leadership as Managing Director and CEO. Under his guidance, Fiji Airways achieved significant growth, navigated unprecedented global challenges, and emerged stronger and more resilient. His contributions to excellence, innovation, and national pride have left a lasting legacy.
Key achievements under Mr. Viljoen’s leadership include:
- World-Class Recognition: Fiji Airways became the smallest airline by fleet size, and the only airline in Oceania, to win the prestigious APEX World Class Airline 2026 Award, ranking among the Top 10 Airlines globally.
- SKYTRAX and APEX Rankings: The airline’s SKYTRAX rating improved to 4 Stars, with its global ranking rising from 102nd in 2015 to 14th in 2024. Fiji Airways won Best Airline in Australia/Pacific for two consecutive years and achieved the APEX 5 Star Major Airline rating for three consecutive years.
- Fleet and Revenue Growth: The airline’s fleet nearly doubled from 12 to 23 aircraft, including four new-generation Airbus A350s. Annual revenue increased from FJ$815.3 million in 2015 to FJ$1.9 billion in 2024.
- Aviation Academy Launch: Mr. Viljoen led the development of the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy, a state-of-the-art training facility with four full-flight simulators, raising pilot training standards and supporting more Fijians to become captains. The academy serves as a regional hub, attracting major clients including Air Tahiti, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas.
- COVID-19 Response: His ‘Future-Fit Ready Strategy’ ensured the airline’s survival during the pandemic. Fiji Airways operated 523 repatriation flights, transported 17,825 tonnes of freight, and was the first airline to resume services to Australia and New Zealand.
- Post-COVID Recovery: Leadership under Mr. Viljoen positioned Fiji Airways for record-breaking growth in 2023, with historic passenger numbers and financial performance.
To ensure continuity, Mr. Viljoen will remain on the Fiji Airways Board of Directors. His new role at Air Mauritius does not create a conflict of interest, as the airline operates in a different region.
FURTHER READING: For those interested in exploring this topic further, additional resources and in-depth materials are provided below when available; otherwise, no further reading is included at this time.:
REFERENCES: This guide is based on over a decade of research and firsthand experience living in Fiji. It incorporates extensive knowledge gained through long-term residence and ongoing engagement with the region. Images and text have been sourced from official references, which are acknowledged below, to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
FOOTNOTES: Additional details, clarifications, or sources referenced in this article are included as Footnotes below the text when applicable; otherwise, no Footnotes are provided.