AIR Pacific's rebranding program and Tourism Fiji's new marketing strategy will not be affected by the departure of David Pflieger.
This, according to Attorney-General and Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
A statement from the airline on Friday said Mr Pflieger had informed the board of his decision to return to the US when his contract as managing director and chief executive officer expires on May 1.
His decision to return to his homeland will also bring to an end his role as chairman of Tourism Fiji.
Air Pacific's board has credited Mr Pflieger for the "successful turnaround of the national airline" but stakeholders say the decision to leave was untimely.
Mr Pflieger was at the forefront of reforms which included manpower rationalisation, changing the fleet to include Airbus aircraft, and the rebrand of Air Pacific to its 1960s name, Fiji Airways.
When asked if Mr Pflieger had resigned his position as chairman of Tourism Fiji and how his leaving would affect the new marketing strategy, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said business would go ahead as planned.
"These changes and paradigm shifts that have taken place while he's been at the helm and the way that we conduct business in these organisations will continue, even without people that have spearheaded them or even if they're not there. That's what succession planning and strategic planning is all about," he said.
"The rebranding process that has begun will continue. It will not come to a standstill.
"We will continue on the path that Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific have taken," he said.
The A-G said the search for a new leader had begun.
A statement by Air Pacific said during his three-year tenure, Mr Pflieger restored the airline to profitability in two years, reversing record operating losses of $12million and $91million for the two years prior to his taking up the helm and posting a $16million profit last year.
Air Pacific also said under Mr Pflieger's stewardship, Air Pacific won recognition from Conde Nast Traveller magazine as one of the World's Top 5 small airlines for two years in a row, 2011 and 2012.
Mr Pflieger was also lauded for being instrumental in the landmark acquisition of brand new wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft scheduled for delivery in March, May and November this year.
Mr Pflieger has been acknowledged by Air Pacific for introducing the company's first ever profit-sharing and quarterly performance incentive plans for front-line employees and instituting a corporate social responsibility initiative that includes partnerships with the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprise and Development (FRIEND) and the Mamanuca Environment Society.