Virgin Australia promoted Chief Commercial Officer Dave Emerson as the new leader and took over successor CEO Jayne Hrdlicka.
Emerson officially adopted the helm of Australian operators on March 14th, with Hrdlicka “supporting transitions as needed” for several months.
Hrdlicka, CEO of Virgin Australia since leaving admin in 2020, announced her intention to leave the carrier in February 2024.
Emerson joined his career as Chief Commercial Officer in June 2021. According to his LinkedIn profile, he was a senior partner at Virgin Owner Bain Capital and led the practices of the private equity company's global airline.
Emerson began his career as a revenue management manager in the now-deprecated American West.
In his new appointment, Emerson said: As we return to Longhall International Flying and innovate our domestic services, we can open up greater choices and even better travel experiences for our customers, including increasing opportunities to reward our customers' loyalty. The key is that it creates new opportunities for our team. ”
Leadership renewal is at a critical time for owners of Bain, Australia's second-largest airline, which took control of the airline in 2020, but is considering Virgin Australia, which will be relisted on the stock exchange.
The airline also received regulatory approval for investment from its strategic partner Qatar Airways in late February, paving the way for the reopening of its long-haul business.
Airline Chairman Ryan Cotton said: “Detailed plans have been introduced that provide continuous growth, strong business performance and strategic continuity, further enhancing Virgin Australia's competitiveness in the Australian market.”
