Air New Zealand marks leadership transition amid celebration of new facility

Greg Foran commented on how decisions made by past leaders continue to influence the airline today. "In aviation, legacy matters. The decisions we make today often shape the airline for many years to come. The new hangar opened last week had its inception during Prime Minister Luxon's leadership of the airline. During my time as Chief Executive, I have been incredibly grateful for the decisions made over many years and for the long history of care for our people, our culture and for what we stand for as an airline."

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted Air New Zealand's role in supporting economic growth through tourism and trade. "The new hangar which was announced in 2019 represents the very best of Kiwi ingenuity and innovation. I know firsthand the professionalism and pride Air New Zealand and its people take in connecting New Zealand to the world, and this development helps them do exactly that. Economic growth is key to our prosperity and Air New Zealand's role in tourism and trade is a critical part of the Government's plan to double export earnings by 2034."

Sir Ralph Norris reflected on how Air New Zealand connects people beyond just travel logistics: "The airline's role is not just to connect New Zealanders from A to B. It's to connect us to each other, and to show the world who we are. The challenges of the future, whether they are economic or technological will demand the same grit and ingenuity that Air New Zealanders have shown over the past 85 years. It's how we are made, and it's what we are known for."

Rob Fyfe underscored that people remain central to Air New Zealand’s identity: "I've always been of the view that at its core Air New Zealand is a people business. As an industry we operate similar aircraft but for Air New Zealand it's our people, our Air New Zealanders, that give us our competitive edge, no one can replicate that. For me leading Air New Zealand was more than just leading an airline. It was a reflection of New Zealand's spirit; our sense of identity, our innovation, our heart, our humour and our deep sense of pride in our nation."

Incoming CEO Nikhil Ravishankar expressed gratitude as he prepares to lead: "I feel deeply humbled to be entrusted with the leadership of our national carrier. Standing alongside the leaders who have each left an enduring mark on Air New Zealand is both inspiring and grounding. I am committed to building on their legacy as we enter a new chapter, and to ensuring the airline continues to thrive for our people, our customers and for New Zealand."

Recent changes at Air New Zealand reflect ongoing efforts by major airlines worldwide—many invest in modern facilities such as advanced maintenance hangars—to support fleet renewal programs aimed at improving operational efficiency.

The succession timeline includes Sir Ralph Norris (2002-2005), Rob Fyfe (2005-2012), Christopher Luxon (2012-2019), Greg Foran (2020-2025), with Nikhil Ravishankar set to assume leadership from October 2025.