When Paul Scurrah resigned as CEO of Virgin Australia in 2020 amid the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, few anticipated a comeback to the aviation industry. However, five years later, Scurrah is set to lead Fiji Airways, one of the burgeoning airlines in the Pacific region.
This position marks a new chapter for Scurrah, who takes the helm following the successful tenure of outgoing CEO Andre Viljoen. Under Viljoen’s leadership, Fiji Airways experienced remarkable growth, expanded its fleet and routes, joined the prestigious Oneworld Alliance, and earned the accolade of Best Airline in Australia/Pacific in 2024. Scurrah is keen to maintain this positive trajectory. “There’s incredible momentum here,” he stated shortly after his appointment. “My first goal is to make sure I continue that momentum.”
Fiji’s strategic location and tourism potential present a unique opportunity to capitalize on the anticipated growth within the Asia Pacific region. “We’ll maintain momentum but also look for opportunities to grow further and take advantage of Fiji’s location,” Scurrah reiterated. He underscored that Australia, being Fiji Airways’ largest market, would play a central role in the airline’s expansion strategy, highlighting the increasing interest in Fiji as both a leisure and business destination.
Scurrah hinted at the potential introduction of new long-haul destinations, emphasizing how Oneworld membership could facilitate enhanced connectivity through airline partners. Strengthening collaboration with Tourism Fiji and other industry stakeholders will be essential, as Scurrah believes that increasing interest in Fiji as a travel destination will drive the airline’s success.
Drawing upon his previous experiences, Scurrah noted that effective communication and fiscal discipline would inform his leadership style. “You learn how important listening to your people and customers is,” he explained, emphasizing the need for airlines to be cost leaders while ensuring resilience to face challenges that may arise.
Looking ahead, with global air travel projected to increase by 5% annually through 2043, Scurrah acknowledged one of his significant challenges would be “getting enough aircraft to handle that growth.” Nevertheless, with the groundwork established during Viljoen’s prolific tenure, Fiji Airways appears to be well-positioned for continued success under Scurrah’s leadership.
The future of Fiji Airways is bright, with optimistic prospects for growth and innovation as it adapts to the evolving aviation landscape while maintaining a commitment to excellence in service and operational efficiency.