Air New Zealand managing director and chief executive Ralph Norris has quit after successfully turning round the fortunes of the airline.
He is leaving to head up one of Australia’s largest public companies, the Commonwealth Bank, following a three-year stint with the carrier.
Norris said he had never intended to remain as chief executive in the long term but rather to “get the airline back on track to being a world class operation” before handing over to a “new generation of leader.”
“I set myself ‘must achieve’ goals during my tenure,” he said. “They were to leave the airline in a financially sound position, roll out a strategic blueprint covering short haul and long haul operations and build a senior management team that is second to none.”
This has been achieved, he said.
Chairman John Palmer praised Norris for playing his outstanding leadership and for playing an integral part role in the airline’s recovery.
Norris has a six-month notice period although no leaving date has been confirmed.
Report by Steve Jones
