Reports: one internal candidate left in Virgin Australia CEO race

Townsville, Queensland - 28 July 2021: Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar tails on display at Townsville Airport in far North Queensland

Virgin Australia has reportedly narrowed down its internal search for a new CEO down to one.

According to The Australian, chief customer and digital officer Paul Jones is the only remaining internal candidate still being considered for the CEO role at the airline.

It has been reported that the four other internal candidates have been told they are no longer being considered.

This update allegedly bring the number of the candidates up for the role down to two with Virgin’s owner – Bain Capital – said to also be considering an overseas candidate. An update is expected in the coming weeks.

Paul Jones, Virgin Australia

Current CEO Jayne Hrdlicka announced she was leaving the role in February this year after 4 years at the helm of the airline. Her departure comes as Bain Capital is preparing to relist the airline on the stock market for the first time since it went into administration during the pandemic.

“I have decided the time is right for me to signal CEO transition for this great airline and ultimately to pass the baton on. This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but the last 4 years have been heavy lifting across the organisation during the toughest of times,” Hrdlicka said at the time.

The time was also a difficult period for Hrdlicka personally with the executive losing her husband to cancer in May 2023.

Just last week, Hrdlicka told attendees at the International Air Transport Association’s annual meeting that the airline is ready to list on the ASX as soon as financial markets reopen.

Bain Capital declined to comment.

 

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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