Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka has announced she will be stepping down from her role.
The airline boss made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon, saying it was not an easy decision and she was ‘grateful’ to be have been a part of such a ‘special culture’.
‘I have decided the time is right for me to signal CEO transition for this great airline and ultimately to pass the baton on,’ she said.
‘This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but the last four years have been heavy lifting across the organisation during the toughest of times.’
It is unclear when will be her final day in the top job.
Her announcement came on the same day Virgin announced a return to profitability over the 2023 financial year and a ‘strong’ first half of the 2024 financial year.
Jayne Hrdlicka, the chief executive of Virgin Australia, has announced she is stepping down from her role
‘After nearly four years of intensive work and transformation since the dual challenges of Administration and the onset of Covid-19, Jayne has decided that now is the right juncture to ensure that succession is in place to see the company through a future IPO and beyond,’ the airline said in a statement.
‘The Board of Virgin Australia will shortly commence a global search process for a new CEO.’
Ms Hrdlicka had led the airline since it was bought out of voluntary administration by Bain Capital in 2020 for $3.5billion amid struggles during Covid.
‘I am very proud of what the Virgin Australia team have accomplished together since the depths of administration and the Covid-19 pandemic,’ she said.
More to come
Ms Hrdlicka is seen with Australian model Elle Macpherson at the Australian Open
