Air New Zealand taps Experience Co’s Kathryn O’Brien as Aussie GM

Air New Zealand taps Experience Co’s Kathryn O’Brien as Aussie GM

Air New Zealand has appointed Kathryn O’Brien as its new general manager for Australia.

Stepping into the role on 13 February 2023, O’Brien will take the reins from Michael Zorbas (Zorby), who has been acting general manager for the region.

She brings over 20 years of sales and marketing experience within the tourism and hospitality industry to the role, predominantly within the hotel sector and most recently with activities and experiences.

Most recently, O’Brien worked for adventure tourism company Experience Co, where she was initially employed as chief revenue officer in 2019, and most recently served as chief commercial officer.

Australia is an incredibly important market to the airline and continues to be a high-performing region in its global network, according to Jeremy O’Brien, Air New Zealand’s general manager for short-haul.

“This is a pivotal leadership appointment and I’m excited by the skills that Kathryn will add to our already strong Australia leadership group across commercial, customer and airports,” he said.

“The fact the region has continued to be a standout performer as part of the international restart is in no small part due to the experienced leadership Zorby has provided alongside our strong in-market leadership group.

“I look forward to joining [Kathryn] and the team in the New Year to connect across the Australian market and build on our strong partnerships across supplier, airports, and our trade & tourism industry partnerships.”

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]