Air New Zealand has announced the appointment of Indian-origin executive Nikhil Ravishankar as its next Chief Executive Officer. Ravishankar, who is currently serving as the airline’s Chief Digital Officer, will officially take over the position from outgoing CEO Greg Foran on 20 October this year.
Greg Foran had earlier confirmed in March that he would step down from the role, as reported by The New Zealand Herald. Ravishankar has been part of the Air New Zealand leadership team for almost five years. During this time, he has led several key advancements in digital infrastructure, customer experience, and loyalty systems.
Air New Zealand’s board chair Dame Therese Walsh described Ravishankar’s appointment as a significant and timely decision for the company. “We have always been bold and not afraid to adapt and lead. Nikhil brings the mindset and contemporary leadership we need to build on our strong foundations and focus on the future. The Board undertook an extensive international search and were delighted to see Nikhil come through the process so strongly,” she said.
“His ambition for the airline’s future and his people-leadership skills, coupled with his pursuit of excellence, digital literacy, global outlook and relationships, and his deep care for the airline and New Zealand shone through,” she added.
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Walsh also mentioned the challenges the aviation industry continues to face. “Airlines will continue to face immense challenges, whether that’s climate change, customer expectations, technology, cost pressures or geopolitics. Nikhil brings a fresh perspective that is grounded in New Zealand values and a deep knowledge of the airline and critical infrastructure across different sectors. He’s not afraid to challenge how things are done and ask questions,” she said.
Reacting to the announcement, Ravishankar said in a statement on the airline’s website that he felt honoured to be given the opportunity. “I’m both thrilled and humbled to be given this opportunity to lead Air New Zealand,” he said. “This airline is an institution with a deep legacy but also a fantastic future. It’s a privilege to step into the CEO role and take on that responsibility for our people, our customers, and our country.”
He also expressed confidence in the airline’s strengths. “Airlines are complex, and safety underpins every decision we make. I truly believe that New Zealand is one of the most innovative nations in the world and one of the greatest destinations to visit. Our airline is amongst the very best and I get to work with some of the most dedicated people in the country, from our cabin crew, engineers and pilots to our ground teams, corporate and digital teams behind the scenes.”
“At the end of the day, we are a people business – purposeful, ambitious, and deeply rooted in Aotearoa New Zealand, and I’m excited to help shape what this next stage of Air New Zealand looks like,” Ravishankar said.
Ravishankar holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Auckland. He also serves as an advisor and mentor for the university’s Strategic CIO programme. He is a member of the Auckland University of Technology AUTEUR Influencer Network, a board member of New Zealand Asian Leaders, and an advisory committee member of The Auckland Blues Foundation.
Before joining Air New Zealand, he was Chief Digital Officer at Vector New Zealand, where he led the company’s digital and IT function. Earlier, he worked as a Managing Director at Accenture across Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand and held leadership roles in technology strategy and transformation at Telecom New Zealand.
