Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran has announced his resignation, set to take effect in October 2025, marking the end of a five-year tenure that saw the airline navigate one of the most turbulent periods.
Foran, who took the helm in early 2020 after a distinguished career at Walmart, led the airline through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, global travel restrictions, and financial turbulence. Under his leadership, Air New Zealand implemented key strategic changes, including fleet modernisation and customer experience enhancements. However, the airline continues to face significant headwinds in 2025, particularly due to ongoing maintenance issues with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines powering its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
The engine-related challenges have resulted in aircraft being grounded for extended maintenance, causing disruptions to flight schedules and operational capacity. The airline has been forced to lease additional aircraft to maintain service levels, adding pressure to costs and impacting overall profitability. Last month, Air New Zealand reported an 18% drop in first-half profits, attributing part of the decline to these ongoing fleet issues.
Dame Therese Walsh, Chair of Air New Zealand, acknowledged Foran’s leadership through these operational difficulties, emphasising his pivotal role in steering the airline through a period of unprecedented change. She confirmed that a global search is underway for his successor, who will inherit both the opportunities and challenges of leading New Zealand’s flagship carrier.
Foran expressed his gratitude for the team at Air New Zealand, acknowledging their dedication and resilience. “It has been an honour to lead this airline through some of the most challenging times the industry has ever faced. I have every confidence that Air New Zealand will continue to thrive,” he said.
As the aviation industry grapples with post-pandemic recovery, supply chain disruptions, and operational challenges, Air New Zealand’s next leader will be tasked with ensuring fleet reliability while maintaining the airline’s reputation for excellence. The search for Foran’s replacement is expected to be closely watched as the airline looks to stabilise its operations and continue its growth trajectory.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available.