Air New Zealand announced the appointment of Nikhil Ravishankar as its next chief executive officer today, 30th July.
Ravishankar succeeds Greg Foran who steps down in October following a six-year run wherein he led the airline through one of the most challenging periods in aviation history.
Currently the airline’s chief digital officer, Ravishankar will officially take over as CEO on 20th October.
In the nearly five years that he has been at Air New Zealand Ravishankar gained a deep understanding of the aviation sector, and the airline.
He also led several major advances in the airline’s technology backbone, loyalty programme and customer proposition.
Prior to Air New Zealand, Ravishankar was chief digital officer at Vector and managing director of Accenture.
The beginning of an era
Air New Zealand’s chair of the board Therese Walsh remarked that this latest appointment marks the beginning of the next chapter for the airline, reflecting the strong momentum underway and a new generation of leadership for the future.
She pointed out how Air New Zealand remains very clear on what matters most: connecting their 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.
Walsh said: “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 leadership and people 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.
Ravishankar himself said of his appointment: “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."
The incoming chief executive believes that New Zealand is one of the most innovative nations in the world and one of the greatest destinations to visit.
He added: "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.”
