Fiji Airways has officially welcomed Paul Scurrah as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in a traditional Fijian ceremony at the airline’s head office in Nadi.
The event celebrated his appointment and highlighted the national carrier’s commitment to Fijian culture, its people, and world-class service.
In his address, as per Fiji Times, Scurrah described the occasion as “humbling and inspiring,” expressing gratitude for the warm reception.
“The spirit of unity and pride shown today truly reflects what makes this airline and its people so special.”
Challenging the Fiji Airways team to embrace a bold new vision, Scurrah declared:
“Fiji Airways is the Happiest Airline in the World. I have every confidence that this claim is one we can truly stand behind.”
He also praised the airline for recent international recognition, including winning Best Cabin Service and Best Food & Beverage in the South Pacific at the 2026 APEX Awards in Singapore.
Scurrah emphasised his leadership priorities, promising to uphold safety, listen and lead with humility, and continue delivering world-class service while expanding the airline’s network. Reflecting on the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, he said:
“Nothing in the airline industry can or should ever be taken for granted. The effort it took to get us here must be matched by the effort to keep improving.”
The new Australian CEO, formerly of Virgin Australia and Pacific National Rail, brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across aviation, transport, logistics, and travel industries. He officially began his role on 1 November, succeeding Andre Viljoen, who helped grow Fiji Airways’ revenue from $FJ815.3 million in 2015 to $FJ1.9 billion in 2024 and will remain on the board to ensure continuity.
Under Scurrah, Fiji Airways aims to expand flights to the United States and leverage opportunities created by Virgin Australia’s market exit.
The airline has rapidly grown capacity between Australia and Fiji, now flying from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Cairns to Vancouver, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and San Francisco, alongside key Asian destinations such as Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Fiji Airways’ strategic growth aligns with broader regional interests, with Australia prioritising bilateral air rights expansion with Fiji, a key partner in the Pacific amid increasing geopolitical competition.
Scurrah closed his address by acknowledging the airline’s staff:
“Our success doesn’t come from aircraft or infrastructure, it comes from our people. Together, we’ll continue to grow our airline, strengthen our culture, and show the world what the Spirit of Fiji truly means.”
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