Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka is stepping down after a shock announcement
Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka has announced she will be stepping down from her role.
The airline's boss revealed on Tuesday afternoon that it was not an easy decision and that she was “honoured” to have led the team for the past four years.
“I have decided that the time is right to announce the CEO transition of this great airline and ultimately pass the baton,” she said.
“This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but the last four years have been tough for the entire organization in the most difficult of times.”
It is unclear when her last day in the top job will be.
Her resignation came as Virgin announced a return to profitability over the 2023 financial year and a 'strong' first half of the 2024 financial year.
Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka has announced she is stepping down from her role
'After almost four years of intensive work and transformation since the twin challenges of administration and the onset of Covid-19, Jayne has decided that now is the right time to ensure the succession is in place to take the company through a future IPO and then pilot. the airline said in a statement.
“The Virgin Australia Board of Directors will soon commence a global search process for a new CEO.”
Ms Hrdlicka has led the airline since it was bought out of voluntary administration by Bain Capital for $3.5 billion in 2020, amid struggles during the Covid-19 crisis.
“I am very proud of what the Virgin Australia team has achieved together since the depths of administration and the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
Virgin, Australia's second-largest airline, has made a profit for the first time in eleven years.
More to come
Ms Hrdlicka is seen with Australian model Elle Macpherson at the Australian Open