Airline boss flies in for a surf
IN the surf Darren Wright just looks like any other Cabarita resident enjoying the waves.
Truth is, he's got a secret worth share.
So far he's brought 30,000 visitors to the Gold Coast and Tweed in the past six months in his role as general manager of low-cost airline Scoot.
Mr Wright feels more comfortable in boardies than a business suit and has built the business from the ground up.
"It's been a fun ride," Mr Wright said.
"I enjoy start-ups...I enjoy the organised chaos."
Despite his love for the airline business, having previously headed Air Asia X, Mr Wright said he would give it all away if it prevented him from hitting the waves with a surfboard tucked under his arm.
"I surf about two or three times a week," he said.
While working at Air Asia X in Kuala Lumpur, he managed a few quick runs down to Bali to surf but his decision to head Singapore Airlines sister airline, Scoot, was a lifestyle decision.
"I'm used to working remotely," he said. "The business I am in is 24/7 so for example I was up at 5am this morning sending emails."
Mr Wright's next challenge is to expand the business, with a new airplane coming later this month taking the fleet to five, and establishing another route from Singapore to Australia.
He says the Australian market is buoyant.
