Virgin Australia names Dave Emerson CEO, ending yearlong search

Virgin Australia named Dave Emerson as its new chief executive officer, promoting from within its own ranks to end a yearlong search to replace the departing Jayne Hrdlicka.

Emerson, who has served as the airlines chief operating officer since June 2021, will begin his transition into the CEO role immediately, and will formally assume the position March 14, Virgin said in a statement Wednesday. Hrdlicka announced her intention to step down in February 2024.

Emerson will be tasked with overseeing Virgin's return to long-haul international flights after the Australian government approved Qatar Airways Ltd.'s acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in Virgin last month.

The carrier is majority owned by Bain Capital, which bought it out of bankruptcy in 2020.