Air New Zealand Names Nikhil Ravishankar as Next CEO
- Joe Breitfeller
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
Air New Zealand has announced the appointment of Nikhil Ravishankar as the airline’s next Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Greg Foran, who will step down in October after nearly leading the airline for nearly six years.
On Wednesday (July 30, 2025), Air New Zealand announced the appointment of Nikhil Ravishankar as the carrier’s next Chief Executive Officer. He will succeed Greg Foran, who will step down in October after leading the company for nearly six years, through one of the most challenging periods in aviation history. Currently serving as Air New Zealand’s Chief Digital Officer, Mr. Ravishankar will officially assume his new role as CEO on October 20, 2025. Since joining the carrier nearly five years ago, he has led major advances in the airline’s technology backbone, loyalty programme and customer proposition. Before joining Air New Zealand, Nikhil Ravishankar served as Chief Digital Officer at Vector and Managing Director of Accenture.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Air New Zealand’s Board Chair, Dame Therese Walsh, said,
“Across Air New Zealand we are very clear on what matters most - connecting our communities and country to each other and the world, delivering value and excellence, and running a world-class airline that all Kiwi are proud of.
“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. 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.
“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.”
Also commenting on his upcoming role, Air New Zealand’s next CEO, Nikhil Ravishankar, said,
“I’m both thrilled and humbled to be given this opportunity to lead Air New Zealand. 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.
“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.”
Established in 1940, Air New Zealand first took to the skies between Auckland and Sydney with a Short S30 flying boat. Known for their warm Kiwi hospitality, the carrier currently operates a fleet ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320 Family jets to ATR and Q300 turboprop aircraft. The carrier’s modern and fuel-efficient fleet has an average age of 9.9 years. In 2024, Air New Zealand carried more than 16 million passengers. The carrier serves 20 different regions around New Zealand, and offers direct international service to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the U.S. Additionally, through strong relationships with alliance partners, the airline offers hundreds more destinations.
Source: Air New Zealand
