Fiji Airways Lands Global Veteran Paul Scurrah as New CEO

Fiji Airways has announced the appointment of Paul Scurrah as its incoming Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, with his leadership officially beginning on November 1, 2025. This executive decision follows a comprehensive internal, national, and global search process.

Scurrah brings a robust background of more than 20 years of executive experience across the aviation, transport, logistics, and tourism sectors. His proven track record in driving results-driven leadership and managing big, complex organisations makes him an ideal leader to write Fiji Airways’ next chapters.

Scurrah’s History of Operational Excellence and Crisis Management

Scurrah’s career is marked by strategic resilience, particularly within the aviation sector.

With Virgin Australia

He previously served as Virgin Australia’s CEO, where he built strong momentum across operations and employee engagement. Notably, Scurrah led the complex and rapid restructuring of the airline during the turbulent COVID-19 pandemic, successfully preserving core routes and safeguarding jobs.

Pacific National & Early Career

 Most recently, he led Australia’s largest private rail freight company as CEO, focusing on a comprehensive transformation that emphasized operational excellence, safety innovation, and commercial sustainability. During his tenure, Scurrah oversaw investments in new technologies and strengthened customer partnerships.

His earlier executive experience includes appointments at Queensland Rail and DP World Australia, where he specialised in spearheading large-scale infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements. He was also a founding executive and investor in Rex Airlines, Australia’s largest independent regional airline.

Scurrah’s leadership style is defined by strategic clarity, integrity, and operational discipline, positioning him to thrive in challenging environments and foster high-performance cultures. The Fiji Airways’ board is confident that he will guide Fiji Airways through global aviation’s dynamic challenges, ensuring the airline continues to be the carrier of choice in the region and internationally.

Andre Viljoen: Leaving A Legacy and the Future

The airline board also thanked Andre Viljoen for his decade of exceptional leadership as Managing Director and CEO. Under Viljoen’s stewardship, the airline achieved significant growth and emerged stronger and more resilient from global challenges. To ensure continuity, Viljoen will remain on the Fiji Airways’ board of directors, with his new role at Air Mauritius not presenting a conflict of interest due to differing regional focuses. For more tourism and aviation industry updates, bookmark us!