Air New Zealand is searching for a new chief digital officer after incumbent Avi Golan has decided to return to the US.
The Kiwi carrier said it was conducting a global search to find a replacement for Golan, who was heading back at the end of October to be closer to family.
Golan was lured to join the company in January, 2016 as part of a strategy by chief executive Christopher Luxon to sharpen Air New Zealand’s the focus on technology and make it a leader in the digital space.
The airline now has a team of 650 people working in the area investigating technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented virtual reality and Google Translate for cabin crew.
An Israeli who moved to the US and worked in Silicon Valley, Golan previously held senior roles in companies such as Barnes & Noble, Google and Intuit.
“Avi will leave a significant legacy when he heads back to the United States,’ Luxon said.
“He has implemented a digital strategy that is the envy of many airlines globally and most New Zealand companies.
“Avi has been a fierce advocate for the role digital can play in ensuring that Air New Zealand can compete and innovate within the broader travel sector.
“His team has delivered numerous wins that have enhanced the customer experience, delivered incremental revenue, strengthened operational performance and made our systems more secure from cyber threats.”
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Golan’s decision to leave comes as long-serving AirNZ executive and chief of operations Bruce Parton leaves Air New Zealand at the end of September.
Nor is Air New Zealand is the only Australasian aviation company undertaking an executive search: Virgin Australia has been on the hunt for a replacement for outgoing chief executive John Borghetti.
Borghetti has said he is prepared to stay until the end of 2019 but it is widely thought he will leave before then if a replacement is found.
