Air New Zealand appoints Nikhil Ravishankar as its new chief executive.
Ravishankar, who currently serves as the airline’s chief digital officer, will step into the top leadership role this October, succeeding Greg Foran.
“In the nearly five years that Nikhil has been at Air New Zealand, he has gained a deep understanding of the aviation sector and the airline. He has also led major advances in the airline’s technology backbone, loyalty programme and customer proposition,” Air New Zealand stated in its press release.
For Air New Zealand Board Chair Dame Therese Walsh, Ravishankar’s appointment reflects the strong ongoing progress and the emergence of a new generation of leadership for the company’s future.
“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 Kiwis 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 was 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.
“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 said he was “thrilled and humbled” to be appointed as Air New Zealand’s new chief executive.
“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 said.
“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.”
Before joining Air New Zealand, Nikhil Ravishankar served as Chief Digital Officer at Vector and was the Managing Director at Accenture.