Fiji Airways Appoints Andre Viljoen as CEO & Managing Director

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Jun 22, 2015, 08:32 ET

NADI, Fiji, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, Fiji Airways announced the appointment of a new CEO and Managing Director - the current head of Air Mauritius, Andre Viljoen – who will take up the position before October 1, 2015. Mr. Viljoen has 33 years of professional experience in the airline and tourism industries and has been the CEO of Air Mauritius since 2010.

The Fiji Airways Board was extremely pleased that the Company would be led by someone, who as CEO of Air Mauritius, had transformed and restored the airline to profitability, while also having earned the coveted Skytrax 4 Star rating for product and service.

Mr. Viljoen joins Fiji Airways after it's recent transformation, including the rebrand from Air Pacific and upgraded fleet, and at a stage when the airline is exploring further commercial opportunities, including new routes.

"I am very excited to be joining Fiji Airways, the leading airline in the South Pacific, and will continue to build on its strong brand and lead its dedicated team to even greater heights," Mr. Viljoen said.

The Attorney General and Minister for Public Enterprises, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, welcomed Mr. Viljoen"s appointment on behalf of the Fijian Government, the airline's majority shareholder.

"I'm delighted that Fiji Airways has been able to attract yet another outstanding international airline executive to head our national carrier and fulfil our ambition to make it the world's best boutique carrier. Andre has big shoes to fill in replacing Stefan Pichler – who produced a record financial result for Fiji Airways last year – but this is an outstanding choice and we look forward, under his leadership, to expanding the airline's footprint into other international hubs," Sayed-Khaiyum said.

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About Fiji Airways: Founded in 1951, Fiji Airways Group comprises of Fiji Airways, Fiji's National Airline and its subsidiaries: Fiji Link, its domestic and regional carrier, Pacific Call Comm Ltd, and a 38.75% stake in the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island, Nadi. From its hub at Nadi International Airport, Fiji Airways and Fiji Link serve 48 destinations in 12 countries (including code-share). Fiji Airways rebranded from Air Pacific in June 2013. Visit www.fijiairways.com for more information.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Jaclyn Gaffaney
Myriad Marketing / Fiji Airways
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+1 310-649-7700

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SOURCE Fiji Airways