Racist backlash erupts after Air New Zealand names Indian-origin CEO

Air New Zealand is facing a wave of racist backlash following its announcement that Nikhil Ravishankar, a New Zealander of Indian descent, will become the airline’s new chief executive officer starting Oct. 20.

The appointment triggered an outpouring of xenophobic comments on social media, prompting several news outlets, including the New Zealand Herald, to restrict or disable comments on related posts.

Ravishankar’s appointment marks a historic milestone as he becomes the first person of Indian heritage to lead the country’s flag carrier. The decision has been praised by many as a significant step toward diversity and inclusion in New Zealand’s corporate landscape. However, the positive response was undercut by online vitriol.

Dame Therese Walsh, chair of Air New Zealand’s board, said the airline conducted an international search and selected Ravishankar based on his leadership style, digital expertise and alignment with the company’s values. Ravishankar joined the airline in 2021 following a tech career at energy firm Vector. In a statement, he said he was “thrilled and humbled” to take on the role during a critical period for the airline’s future.