The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, has praised the performance of Fiji Airways’ outgoing CEO, Andre Viljoen, as exceptional. Viljoen, set to leave his role later this year to join Air Mauritius, will remain involved with Fiji Airways as a member of its Board of Directors.
Under Viljoen’s leadership, Fiji Airways has made remarkable strides, most notably improving its SKYTRAX rating to four stars and climbing from 102nd place in the global rankings in 2015 to 14th last year. The airline has also been recognized as ‘Best Airline in Australia/Pacific’ for two consecutive years and has maintained the APEX 5 Star Major Airline rating for the past three years. Moreover, Fiji Airways has doubled its fleet from 12 to 24 aircraft, including the addition of four new-generation Airbus A350s, and its annual revenue has soared from $815.3 million in 2015 to an impressive $1.9 billion recently.
Gavoka emphasized the significance of Viljoen’s contributions, highlighting how they showcase Fiji Airways as a leading player in the aviation industry. As the search for Viljoen’s successor begins, Gavoka reassured the public that the goal is to find someone who embodies the same passion and commitment to excellence.
However, a recent decline in Fiji Airways’ global ranking to 31st place for the 2025 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards has raised concerns. The airline has fallen from its top spot in the Pacific region to third place, overtaken by Qantas and Air New Zealand. Despite these challenges, the foundation laid during Viljoen’s tenure provides hope for Fiji Airways’ future as it seeks to maintain high service standards and innovate further within the industry.
This leadership transition not only presents a fresh opportunity for Fiji Airways but also signifies the potential for growth and collaboration in the aviation sector, suggesting a bright horizon ahead as it continues to adapt and thrive amidst competition.
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