Air New Zealand has just announced an Indian-origin executive, Nikhil Ravishankar, as its next CEO, while Air India is led by a Kiwi, Campbell Wilson, who hails from Christchurch
Perhaps the universe is sending a message to Kiwi Indian travellers hoping a direct New Zealand–India flight, saving a day of travel, is quietly being worked on behind the scenes.
But did Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to India in March signal progress on this? Or does Nikhil Ravishankar’s appointment as Air New Zealand CEO mean a direct flight to India is finally on the horizon?
Not quite.
The CEO Surprise
Many Kiwi Indians woke up to the wonderful news that an Indian-origin man has been selected as the next CEO of New Zealand’s leading airline. Some of us who often travel by the same airline felt an extra sense of pride.
Nikhil Ravishankar, currently Air New Zealand’s Chief Digital Officer, will take over as Chief Executive on 20 October 2025, succeeding Greg Foran.
In mid-2022, Christchurch’s Campbell Wilson was appointed CEO of Air India, based in New Delhi. Since then, he’s overseen a major merger, a complete rebrand, and placed one of the largest aircraft orders in aviation history.
So, where’s the answer on direct flights?
Direct Flights Still on Hold
As reported by The Indian Weekender in March this year, passengers hoping for a direct flight between New Zealand and India will have to wait a few more years as Air India and Air New Zealand confirmed a non-stop route is still some years away.
The announcement came as the two carriers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai in March to make travel between the two countries more efficient.
They said they will explore launching a direct flight between India and New Zealand by 2028, pending aircraft deliveries and regulatory approvals, adding that “both airlines remain committed to exploring a direct service in the future”.
The officials say the main roadblock is shortage of new aircraft supply.
The announcement poured cold water on the hopes of thousands of Kiwi Indians who were wishing a direct flight might be announced while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was in India this March.
However, The good news is that both the carriers and the New Zealand government said they mean business.
Air New Zealand current CEO Greg Foran said in March the move aligns with the airline’s long-term strategy to tap into India’s rapidly expanding travel sector.
Meet the CEOs
Ravishankar has spent nearly five years with the airline, during which he led major transformations across its technology systems, loyalty programme, and customer offerings.According to his LinkedIn profile, Ravishankar studied at the University of Auckland, completing a BSc and BCom (Honours) in Computer Science, Management Science, and Information Systems between 1998 and 2002. He graduated with first-class honours and was awarded the ASB Bank scholarship in Information Technology.
Air New Zealand Board Chair Dame Therese Walsh said the board conducted an extensive international search and was “delighted” with how strongly Ravishankar came through the process.
She praised his ambition, digital literacy, people leadership, global outlook, and commitment to both the airline and Aotearoa.
“We have always been bold and not afraid to adapt and lead,” Walsh said. “Nikhil brings the mindset and contemporary leadership we need to build on our strong foundations and focus on the future.”
And while Ravishankar prepares to run New Zealand’s flagship carrier, India’s skies are currently being managed by Campbell Wilson — a Kiwi who grew up in Sumner, Christchurch, and attended Shirley Boys’ High School.
Wilson, 54, holds a Master of Commerce from the University of Canterbury, graduating in 1995.
After university, he travelled extensively and joined Singapore Airlines, spending 26 years with the company and eventually founding its low-cost arm, Scoot.
Shirley Boys’ principal Tim Grocott, who was a year below Wilson, described him as a good student but “nothing to make you think he’d be running a massive airline like Air India,” Stuff reported on 13 June.
So here we are, Air India is being led by a Christchurch man, while Air New Zealand will soon welcome an Aucklander with Indian heritage as its CEO.
It’s a charming twist of fate. Almost as if the airlines have quietly exchanged leadership across borders.
But will this lead to a direct flight between the countries? We will have to wait and see.
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