India-origin executive Nikhil Ravishankar is set to take over as the next CEO of Air New Zealand, marking a proud milestone for the Indian diaspora. He has been with the airline for nearly five years and will officially assume the role on 20 October 2025. Currently serving as Chief Digital Officer, Ravishankar has been instrumental in upgrading technology systems, loyalty programmes, and enhancing customer experience.
Before joining Air New Zealand, Ravishankar held senior leadership roles as Chief Digital Officer at Vector and Managing Director at Accenture. His professional journey highlights a career built on digital innovation and strategic leadership across multiple industries. In his statement, he expressed that he felt both “thrilled and humbled” by the opportunity, adding that passenger safety will continue to guide every decision under his leadership.
Air New Zealand currently operates more than 400 daily flights to 49 destinations, supported by a fleet of over 100 aircraft, including Boeing 777s and 787s, Airbus 320s, ATRs, and Q300s. The airline remains central to New Zealand’s global connectivity, and its leadership transition comes at a significant time for the aviation industry.
The India-New Zealand aviation link has also been deepening. In March 2025, Air India and Air New Zealand signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen connectivity. The agreement includes a codeshare covering 16 routes and discussions on launching direct flights by 2028. Through this partnership, Indian passengers from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai can connect via Sydney, Melbourne, or Singapore to reach major New Zealand hubs like Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown.
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