Virgin Australia boss Jayne Hrdlicka to step down

Jayne Hrdlicka has been the CEO of Virgin Australia since November 2020. (Supplied: Queensland University of Technology)

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka has stepped down from the role after leading the company for nearly four years.

The airline said Ms Hrdlicka, who was appointed in 2020 after the airline went into administration and was acquired by Bain Capital, had decided to leave the role.

Virgin said it would soon begin the search for a new CEO.

In a statement, Ms Hrdlicka said it was the right time for her to leave the airline as the company prepared for its next transition.

“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.

“We are in the midst of the next phase of our transformation program and there is a lot to do and an IPO (initial public offering) to deliver.

“The next phase of this journey is another 3-5 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.”

Ms Hrdlicka took over as the CEO of Virgin Australia in November 2020, after the airline was placed into administration shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under her leadership, the airline returned to profitability in the 2023 financial year — its first in 11 years.