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

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]