Virgin Australia's first female CEO resigns after four years

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka has announced her resignation after spending four years returning the airline to profitability.

The Kansas-born CEO took over from former chief Paul Scurrah in 2020 when the company was placed in administration after COVID-19 lockdowns began.

Virgin Australia Chairman Ryan Cotton said "Jayne has led Virgin Australia through the most turbulent times of its 20 plus year history".

"Her leadership was fundamental to repositioning the airline back to its roots as a value carrier," he said.

Ms Hrdlicka said on February 20 she was "very proud of what the Virgin Australia team have accomplished together since the depths of Administration and the COVID-19 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," 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 time."

Ms Hrdlicka, who also serves as the chair of Tennis Australia, lost her husband Jason Gaudin in May 2023 after a "long, difficult and brave" battle with cancer.

Ms Hrdlicka said Virgin Australia was in the middle of a "transformation program" and the company had "a lot to do" including the delivery of an initial public offering (IPO).

"The next phase of this journey is another three to five years, making now the perfect juncture to begin the process of leadership transition to deliver the next few chapters of what I'm sure will be a significant long-term success story."

The Board of Virgin Australia said the global search process for a new CEO would begin shortly.