Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran has resigned from his role and will depart the airline on 20 October 2025 to take up a new challenge. He steps down after five years in the top job, including steering the airline through the pandemic.
Foran told the Board that he believes the airline is set up to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation, and the time is right for him to take on a new challenge.
Reflecting on his time with the airline, Foran said: “Leading Air New Zealand has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. It’s been an incredible experience alongside an exceptional team. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and the way we’ve positioned Air New Zealand for the future.”
“I am humbled by the work Air New Zealanders do every day and their extraordinary commitment to each other, our customers and our country.
“Despite so many issues outside of our control, we have continued to deliver improvements to our service every day and I’ll leave later this year knowing Air New Zealand’s foundations are immensely strong, and its future very bright.
“It has been an honour to serve our customers, our 11,500 strong team, and New Zealand. I will look back on my time here with immense pride and gratitude,” he said.
Chair Dame Therese Walsh paid tribute to Foran’s five-year tenure.
“Greg has always displayed exceptional leadership and grit, not only guiding Air New Zealand through global aviation’s most significant crisis, but at the same time also maintaining the airline’s tradition of innovation, strong culture and care for our country,” she said.
“Perhaps his most notable contribution has been managing significant global supply chain challenges. These begun with COVID-19 and continue today with the engine issues materially impacting both our Boeing and Airbus fleets.
“While these challenges impact our operations almost daily, Greg’s relentless focus and global profile have been instrumental in mitigating the consequential disruptions on our customers.”
The Board will immediately embark on a global search for a new Chief Executive to allow a smooth leadership transition.
“As I’d expect of Greg, he’s been very generous with his notice period and will stay with Air New Zealand through to the middle of October,” Dame Walsh said.
“In the meantime, Greg will continue to lead Air New Zealand with the same dedication and energy that has defined his time with us.”
Find out more at airnewzealand.com
