Air New Zealand CEO Chris Luxon is keen to ratchet up Virgin Australia when he joins Etihad Airways President James Hogan and an unnamed Singapore Airlines nominee on Virgin's board next month.

"I think we're all united about how we take Virgin up a gear" Luxon said, with job number one to bring the Qantas challenger back to profitability.

Virgin Australia posted an $84 million loss for July-December 2012, down from a $23 million profit in the same period last year, on the back of a domestic 'capacity war' between Virgin and Qantas – a battle from which both airlines have since withdrawn.

Air New Zealand, Etihad and Singapore Airlines together control just over 68% of Virgin Australia and recently channelled $350 million into the airline.

Luxon expects to work "constructively" with Etihad and Singapore Airlines.

"The dynamics between all the airlines is very, very positive and I think it's going to be a very constructive exercise," Luxon told Arabian Business.

"The big focus for us is really very much to get Virgin Australia profitable and I think it's going to be a very constructive and positive experience from the first of July."

"We all get along very, very well. I think we're all united about how we take Virgin up a gear."

"Virgin's done an exceptional job in the last three years" Luxon admitted. "It's been through a massive growth phase. The chance now is to ensure that it returns to profitability."