iscover
Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran is leaving the carrier after five years.
Foran, who joined Air New Zealand in 2019, replaced former CEO Christopher Luxon, now the Prime Minister of New Zealand. He previously served as CEO of Walmart’s US operations and held senior positions at Woolworths in Australia.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
During his tenure, Foran led Air New Zealand through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as ongoing supply chain issues that have affected the carrier’s fleet.
“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,” Dame Therese Walsh, the airline’s chair, said.
“Perhaps his most notable contribution has been managing significant global supply chain challenges. These began 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.”
Foran will remain through 20 October to assist with the transition, Walsh said.
“This allows the Board to carry out a global search for his replacement which we will embark on immediately. The timing also allows Greg to help transition in a new leader,” she 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.”
Foran, who is leaving to “take on a new challenge”, said leading the airline has been “one of the greatest privileges of his 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.”
Air New Zealand last month posted a net post-tax profit of NZ$106 million for the first half of the 2025 financial year off the back of NZ$155 million in pre-tax earnings, towards the upper end of its guidance from November 2024.
