Andre Viljoen is a seasoned aviation executive with over 35 years of global leadership experience, renowned for steering national carriers through transformation and growth.
As Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fiji Airways since October 2015, he has championed the airline’s mission of “Bridging Fiji to the World,” elevating it from a regional player to a globally recognized five-star carrier.
Under his guidance, Fiji Airways has expanded its network, enhanced service excellence, and solidified its role as a vital economic engine for the Pacific nation, supporting thousands of Fijian livelihoods.
Born in South Africa, Viljoen brings a foundation rooted in rigorous financial expertise and strategic acumen. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) in Accounting, Economics, and Management from the University of Natal in 1972, followed by a Bachelor of Accounting Honours (BAcc Hons) in Accounting, Auditing, and Taxation from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 1976. As a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)), his career began in the 1980s at Comair British Airways in South Africa, where he rose from Financial Manager to Group Financial and Commercial Director—a role he held for over a decade, honing skills in commercial operations and financial strategy.
In 1995, Viljoen joined South African Airways (SAA) as Chief Financial Officer, ascending to President and CEO in 2000. There, he spearheaded the “Perfecting the Basics” transformation program, restoring profitability by 2002 amid economic turbulence and operational challenges—a testament to his ability to deliver results in high-stakes environments. His tenure at SAA underscored his talent for cultural shifts, cost optimization, and stakeholder alignment, principles that would define his later successes.
Viljoen’s international footprint expanded in 2005 when he assumed the CEO role at Air Mauritius, where he orchestrated a comprehensive turnaround, revitalizing the airline’s financial health and market position. This period of innovation and recovery positioned him as a go-to leader for legacy carriers facing disruption. In 2015, he brought this expertise to Fiji Airways, recruited through a global headhunting process, to navigate the airline’s ambitious growth phase.
At Fiji Airways, Viljoen’s decade-long leadership has been transformative. He oversaw fleet modernization, network expansion to key global hubs, and the launch of the world-class Fiji Airways Aviation Academy—equipped with four state-of-the-art full-flight simulators. This initiative not only boosted operational efficiency and pilot training for Fijians but also attracted high-profile clients like Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and Air Tahiti.
His strategic vision propelled the airline’s SKYTRAX rating to 4 Stars, vaulting its global ranking from 102nd in 2015 to 14th in 2024. Fiji Airways earned consecutive Five Star Major Airline ratings from APEX in 2023 and 2024, a feat celebrated alongside aviation giants like Delta and Lufthansa.
Viljoen’s resilience shone brightest during the COVID-19 crisis. While many carriers grounded fleets, he directed 523 repatriation flights and managed 17,825 tons of critical freight, ensuring Fiji’s connectivity to essential supplies and its citizens’ safe return. Post-pandemic, he drove a robust recovery, emphasizing sustainability, customer-centric innovation, and workforce empowerment—fostering a “grit and dedication” culture that enables a 24-aircraft fleet to “punch above its weight” in a competitive industry.
As of September 2025, Viljoen is set to conclude his executive tenure at Fiji Airways in October, transitioning back to Air Mauritius as CEO to lead another chapter of revival in his native region. He will remain on the Fiji Airways Board of Directors, providing continuity and strategic counsel during the global search for his successor—a process blending internal, national, and international talent to sustain the airline’s upward trajectory.
A collaborative leader with a passion for mentoring emerging talent, Viljoen is celebrated for converting strategic insight into actionable outcomes. His legacy at Fiji Airways—marked by profitability, prestige, and profound community impact—exemplifies his commitment to aviation as a bridge for economic opportunity and cultural exchange. As he steps into this next phase, Viljoen’s influence continues to shape the skies of the Pacific and beyond.
