INCOMING Fiji Airways CEO Paul Scurrah has rebuffed suggestions there is limited room for growth in the Australian market.
Responding to recent comments made by outgoing CEO Andre Viljoen that there are few growth prospects in Australia, Scurrah pointed to rising demand for North America via Fiji as an important platform to build bookings in Australia.
“The product to North America offered by Fiji Airways is so good, and it’s important to remember that Virgin Australia had a big chunk of that and is no longer a player, so we feel there’s a ready-made pool of customers looking for an alternative to North America that we can deliver on.
“International aviation in the APAC region is also slated to grow to 5% plus a year for the next 30 years – that’s incredible growth.
“I think the challenge for any company in our region is really getting enough aircraft to service that demand,” Scurrah added.
When asked if recent softness in the US market was a concern, the carrier’s new chief said he did not foresee that drag impacting Fiji Airways.
“This is where Fiji Airways’ business class product is so important because it attracts more corporate traffic and we are seeing a very resilient amount of business still happening between the US and the rest of the world.
“Things are settling [in the United States] and I don’t see that softness impacting us,” he added.
Scurrah will commence in the role on 01 November, after most recently leading Australia’s largest private rail freight company Pacific National, and before that occuyping the CEO role at VA for close to two years before Jayne Hrdlicka took over.
Scurrah told travelBulletin it was a “great privilege and honour” to take the wheel of a growing carrier like Fiji Airways.
“There’s been a lot of momentum built up by the board and by Andre [Viljoen], and my early focus will be to keep that momentum going,” Scurrah said.
The incoming chief also pointed to the importance of Fiji Airways’ recent decision to become a full member of oneworld.
“A key focus will be how we make sure that works really well for us, how can we work with our partners to ensure that we are growing in the right way and focusing on the right networks and routes,” he said.
In terms of the roadmap for the onboard experience, Scurrah said Fiji Airways had been “punching above its weight”.
“I will be making sure that I get my head around what is working and what’s not working, and seeing what changes can or may need to be made over the next few months,” Scurrah added.
