Andre Viljoen, chief executive officer and managing director of Fiji Airways, will remain a board member of Fiji Airways Group after he steps down from his executive role at the end of September, according to finance minister Biman Prasad.
Viljoen has been appointed as the incoming CEO of Air Mauritius (MK, Mauritius). The Fiji Times, a local newspaper, reported that Prasad said the Fiji Airways board, led by chairman Nalin Patel, will oversee the recruitment process for Viljoen's successor.
"The recruitment process, as I understand, is being carried out by the board," Prasad said. "Mr. Andre Viljoen and any incoming managing director/CEO are accountable to the board. The board also has its own accountabilities and obligations per the Companies Act."
He added that Viljoen would remain on the board "for continuity and institutional history for new projects currently underway" during the transition period.
Prasad stressed that the board had concluded there were no potential conflicts of interest with Viljoen's retaining a position at Fiji Airways once he assumes the leadership in Mauritius.
"The two airlines serve different markets. However, because of shared aircraft types such as the A350 and ATR, there could be opportunities for collaboration," the minister pointed out.
Fiji Airways and its regional subsidiary Fiji Link (FJA, Nadi) operate a fleet that includes A330-200s, A330-300s, A350-900s, ATR42-600s, ATR72-600s, B737-8, B737-800, and DHC-6-400s. Air Mauritius also deploys A330-200s, A330-900Ns, and A350-900s, alongside ATR72-500s and ATR72-600s, according to ch-aviation data.
