Andre Viljoen Appointed As New CEO Of Air Mauritius Ahead Of October Leadership Transition

Air Mauritius has appointed Andre Viljoen as its next CEO, with effect from October 15.

In October, Viljoen will step down from his current role as MD and CEO of Fiji Airways, after 10 years with the airline.

To ensure continuity, Viljoen will remain on the Board of Directors after his transition. Fiji Airways said this would not cause a conflict of interest as Fiji Airways and Air Mauritius serve different markets.

Viljoen started his career with British Airways (Comair) in South Africa in the late 1980s as Financial Manager and soon became Group CFO and Group Commercial Director. In 1995, he took up the position of COO with South African Express Airways and in 2000 was promoted to the Executive Vice President and CFO at SAA. In 2002, he became President and CEO of SAA.

In 2007, he was appointed CEO of Air Mauritius and in 2015, as Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways.

In February, Air Mauritius announced the appointment of a managing committee with executive powers to oversee operations until a new CEO was named after the previous CEO stepped down. Members of this committee have been outspoken about the airline’s financial struggles.

Viljoen will bring 45 years of airline leadership experience as he returns to the role of Air Mauritius CEO.