Air New Zealand has announced the appointment of Nikhil Ravishankar as its new chief executive officer, set to assume the role on 20 October 2025. The decision marks a pivotal shift for the national carrier as it strengthens its focus on digital innovation, operational efficiency, and premium customer service in a post-pandemic travel landscape.
Ravishankar, currently the airline’s Chief Digital Officer, brings with him a wealth of experience in technology leadership, customer experience, and corporate strategy. His appointment follows the departure of outgoing CEO Greg Foran, who led the airline through one of its most turbulent chapters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This leadership change comes as New Zealand’s aviation and tourism sectors rebound and reshape in response to global demands for smarter, more sustainable, and digitally enriched travel experiences.
A Strategic Leader with a Digital Edge
Born and raised in New Zealand, Nikhil Ravishankar’s career spans senior roles across major enterprises, including Spark New Zealand, Vector, and Accenture. Joining Air New Zealand in 2021 as Chief Digital Officer, he led initiatives that modernized booking systems, enhanced the Airpoints loyalty program, and launched tech-forward customer solutions.
His promotion to CEO follows a comprehensive international executive search conducted by Air New Zealand’s board. Board chair Dame Therese Walsh highlighted Ravishankar’s strong strategic vision, cultural alignment with Aotearoa values, and commitment to sustainability as decisive factors.
“Nikhil is deeply passionate about New Zealand and brings a strong global mindset that is vital for Air New Zealand’s future,” said Dame Walsh. “His focus on people, innovation, and customer-centricity aligns perfectly with the airline’s next era of growth.”
Future-Proofing Air New Zealand’s Services
Under Ravishankar’s leadership, Air New Zealand is expected to deepen its transformation agenda. This includes AI-driven personalization, next-generation online booking systems, biometric boarding trials, and enhanced mobile app features. His emphasis on digital agility will likely see more seamless travel experiences for international and domestic passengers.
Frequent flyers can expect upgrades to the Airpoints™ loyalty program, such as more flexible redemption options, customized offers, and digital wallet integration—making it easier to manage travel preferences and rewards. With a customer-first philosophy, Ravishankar is expected to introduce enhancements across lounges, in-flight entertainment, and real-time travel alerts via smart platforms.
Tourism and Economic Impact
Ravishankar’s leadership is set to ripple beyond aviation, positively influencing New Zealand’s inbound tourism and business travel sectors. As the airline strengthens its route network and digital service offering, visitors can anticipate more personalized travel planning and smoother connections to regional hubs like Queenstown, Rotorua, and Napier.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) welcomed the appointment, noting its alignment with New Zealand’s Tourism 2025 & Beyond strategy, which emphasizes value over volume, sustainability, and tech-driven visitor experiences.
Air New Zealand plays a vital role in supporting the country’s $41 billion tourism economy, and Ravishankar’s vision positions the airline to serve as a leader in eco-conscious and digitally advanced travel—a competitive edge in the Asia-Pacific aviation market.
Customer Tips for the New Air New Zealand Era
Travelers can start preparing for the new Air New Zealand experience under Ravishankar with the following updates:
- Digital Loyalty Enhancements – Look out for expanded benefits in the Airpoints program, especially for frequent flyers and family accounts.
- Smarter Booking Interfaces – Expect a more intuitive, mobile-friendly booking process that offers real-time upgrade bids, carbon offset choices, and tailored itinerary suggestions.
- Route Expansion and Partnerships – Anticipate new international routes and enhanced codeshare agreements, particularly targeting Southeast Asia, North America, and the Middle East.
- Sustainable Service Integration – From plant-based in-flight meals to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investments, Air New Zealand will likely accelerate its net-zero commitments under Ravishankar’s tenure.
Positioning New Zealand as a Smart Travel Hub
The announcement reaffirms Air New Zealand’s ambitions to lead in smart aviation and sustainable tourism. The carrier has already earned international acclaim for its carbon offset program, Skycouch™ product, and customer experience innovations. Ravishankar’s tech-oriented mindset is expected to amplify these efforts, aligning with national goals for economic resilience and green growth.
The New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has outlined digital transformation as a key pillar in its Economic Plan for Tourism. Air New Zealand’s future strategies under Ravishankar will play a direct role in achieving these national benchmarks, while also elevating the country’s profile as a high-tech, nature-rich travel destination.
Conclusion: A New Journey Ahead
Nikhil Ravishankar’s appointment signals a confident new direction for Air New Zealand—one rooted in digital innovation, cultural authenticity, and global ambition. As tourism rebounds and digital transformation accelerates, Air New Zealand is poised to redefine premium travel in the South Pacific.
Whether you’re a business traveler flying from Auckland to San Francisco or a first-time visitor exploring Aoraki Mount Cook, expect your Air New Zealand journey to be smoother, smarter, and more sustainable. With Ravishankar at the helm, the airline is ready to soar into a new chapter—one where people, planet, and purpose take center stage.
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