‍AUCKLAND — Air New Zealand (NZ) has announced that Nikhil Ravishankar, currently its Chief Digital Officer, will take over as Chief Executive Officer effective October 20, 2025, succeeding Greg Foran, who steps down after nearly six years in the role.

Who Is Nikhil Ravishankar?

Ravishankar joined Air New Zealand in mid-2021 and, over nearly five years, has overseen the significant digital transformation of the airline’s technology backbone, loyalty programme, and customer platforms. 

Before joining the airline, he served as Chief Digital Officer at Vector New Zealand (starting in 2017) and previously held senior leadership roles at Accenture in Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.

As per various sources, Nikhil holds a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Auckland. He is an adviser and mentor in the university’s Strategic CIO programme, a member of AUT’s (Auckland University of Technology) AUTEUR Influencer Network, part of the New Zealand Asian Leaders board, and on the advisory committee for the Auckland Blues Foundation.

A Fresh Chapter for Air New Zealand

Board Chair Dame Therese Walsh described the appointment as marking a new chapter in the airline’s journey. She praised Ravishankar’s deep understanding of New Zealand values, infrastructure sectors, and his willingness to challenge the status quo. Ravishankar himself said he is “thrilled and humbled” to lead an institution with a deep legacy and exciting future, highlighting safety, customer experience, and the airline’s people-first culture.

Ravishankar assumes the role as Air New Zealand navigates significant operational challenges, including global supply chain disruptions, engine maintenance delays, a limited domestic market, and intense competition from Australian carriers such as Qantas (QF) and Virgin Australia (VA). 

Under outgoing CEO Greg Foran, the airline navigated the COVID-19 crisis and prepared for innovations such as Skynest sleeping pods on its Boeing 787 fleet.

What It Signals for the Future

This leadership change signals a strategic shift: a digital-first mindset meets aviation leadership. 

Observers expect a renewed focus on technology integration, personalized customer journeys, and sustainability initiatives like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage and hybrid‑electric aircraft testing. Analysts note the move may influence broader regional airline leadership practices in the Asia‑Pacific.

Nikhil Ravishankar’s appointment is more than an internal change; it's a statement about the future of Air New Zealand as a brand and a travel ambassador for the nation. With his blend of digital acumen, cultural awareness, and people-first leadership, he embodies the next generation of airline leadership rooted in innovation, empathy, and Kiwi values. 

The skies ahead look promising, albeit with turbulence to navigate, and his leadership will be key in charting that course.

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