Nikhil Ravishankar Appointed CEO of Air New Zealand from October 2025
Air New Zealand has announced that Nikhil Ravishankar, an Indian-origin executive raised in New Zealand, will take over as the airline’s CEO starting October 2025.
Ravishankar, a graduate of the University of Auckland with degrees in Computer Science and Commerce, brings a wealth of experience in technology and leadership. Before joining Air New Zealand, he held key positions at global firms such as Accenture, Spark, and Vector.
He joined Air New Zealand in 2021 as Chief Digital Officer, leading major technology and customer experience initiatives that have significantly enhanced the airline’s operations and passenger services. His tenure has been marked by innovative digital transformations, streamlining processes, and improving customer engagement.
While Air New Zealand has not disclosed Ravishankar’s exact compensation, his predecessor, Greg Foran, earned a base salary of around NZ$1.8 million (approximately ₹9 crore) and up to NZ$3.96 million (₹20 crore) annually when including bonuses. Industry experts suggest that Ravishankar’s remuneration package is likely to fall within a similar range.
This leadership change reflects Air New Zealand’s continued focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centric growth as it navigates a competitive global aviation market.
