The Supreme Award winner at the prestigious Prime Minister’s International Business Awards, Fiji Airways has dedicated their win to the incredible efforts of its team.

Fiji’s national airline not only scooped the major award but also the Excellence in Service Award and the Executive of the Year Award.

Chief Executive Officer Andre Viljoen stated that the Award has recognised their remarkable achievements in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent recovery.

Viljoen expressed his deep gratitude to the entire Fiji Airways team, emphasizing the collaborative spirit and leadership development that have been instrumental in the company's success.

“During COVID and post COVID pandemic, I worked relentlessly to elevate this company even further and I am so proud of what we achieved,” he said.

“I am very proud and blessed to be working in Fiji as an expatriate and that I have such an amazing team because in the end you can have all the leadership skills but you need a team that you can lead and we have such an amazing one at that,” Viljoen added.

The Chief Executive Officer also went on to acknowledge the immense challenges posed by the pandemic, stating that he worked "relentlessly" to elevate the company during and after this unprecedented crisis.

He expressed immense pride in the team's accomplishments, as Fiji Airways has transformed from a two-and-a-half-star airline ranked 100th in the world to a five-star major airline standing at number 15 globally.

Viljoen attributed these achievements to the company's unwavering commitment to its purpose, "We fly for Fiji."

He also highlighted the exceptional collaboration among stakeholders across the country, which he believes was a key factor in Fiji's swift and robust recovery from the pandemic's impact on tourism.

Emphasizing the importance of leadership development, Viljoen outlined the pillars for effective leadership: self-mastery, leadership skills development, relationship building, and systemic thinking.

He encouraged leaders to invest in their own growth and to foster a culture of continuous learning and development within their organizations.

Viljoen's leadership and the company's commitment to collaboration and leadership development have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in Fiji Airways' remarkable transformation and resilience in the face of adversity.

The company's success serves as a testament to the power of teamwork, innovation, and a shared vision for excellence.