Air Pacific / Fiji Airways Appoints Acting CEO

Air Pacific, soon to be flying as Fiji Airways, has appointed Aubrey Swift, who currently serves as the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, as Acting CEO, while the search for a permanent chief executive officer to replace departing managing Director & CEO Dave Pflieger wraps up.

Nalin Patel, Chairman of Air Pacific’s Board of Directors, said, “With the talent and experience that Aubrey has demonstrated throughout his 20-year career as an airline industry executive and during his tenure at Air Pacific, the Board of Directors unanimously agreed that Aubrey is the right choice to oversee the continuation of the airline’s highly successful revitalisation and rebranding initiatives and to ensure a seamless leadership transition. Responsible for every aspect of the airline’s marketing, planning, revenue management, freight, global sales, and all other commercial activities, Aubrey’s proven capabilities have earned the respect and full confidence of the Board.”

The airline said it expects to conclude its search for a permanent CEO to replace Pflieger in the next month.

“Because Dave assembled such an impressive and deep bench of highly talented local and overseas executives, we can afford the time to conduct a thorough replacement search knowing that the tremendous work already being undertaken by the Company and its leadership team to take delivery of additional A330s and conclude our ‘Fiji Airways’ rebranding will continue without interruption,” Mr. Patel added.

Before joining Air Pacific, Swift served in senior commercial roles at British Airways, Virgin Blue and most recently at V Australia, where he helped design, launch and grow, that start-up carrier from Brisbane.