Outgoing Fiji Airways CEO and general manager Andre Viljoen will remain a Fiji Airways Group board member when he becomes Air Mauritius new chief executive officer, says Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad.
He said as for the recruitment of his replacement, the board would make the final decision.
“The recruitment process as I understand is being carried out by the board,” Prof Prasad said.
“Mr Andre Viljoen and any incoming managing director/CEO is accountable to the board.
“The board also has its own accountabilities and obligations as per the Companies Act.
“As the minister responsible for Fiji Airways, I do not interfere with the finer details and timelines of the board’s recruitment process.
“The board led by its very able and experienced chair, Mr Nalin Patel, holds my trust and confidence, as the representative of the majority shareholder of our national airline, which is currently the Coalition Government.”
He said the board would also determine when the vacant role would be filled.
“If you refer to the board chair’s official statement on 29 May 2025, Mr Andre Viljoen may be stepping down as MD/CEO but for continuity and institutional history for new projects currently underway, he will remain on the board during this transition period.”
Prof Prasad says there will be no conflict of interest when Mr Viljoen takes on his new role with Air Mauritius.
“The board chairman has affirmed that there will be no conflict of interest on Mr Viljoen’s part once he steps into his new role at Air Mauritius, as the two airlines serve different markets, however, because of shared aircraft types such as the Airbus A350 and ATR there could be opportunities for collaboration.”
Mr Viljoen will officially end his term as Fiji Airways CEO and general manager at the end of September.