Did Air New Zealand’s CEO resign to pursue a career in politics?

Did Air New Zealand’s CEO resign to pursue a career in politics?
By Travel Weekly


After seven years at the helm, Air New Zealand yesterday revealed that Christopher Luxon would be leaving the airline in September.

If you missed the breaking news, you can re-read it here.

Luxon has since commented on his departure, hinting that his next move may be a career in politics.

“I know I am going to get a lot of questions about where to next for me, so I am keen to be quite upfront about that,” the outgoing Air New Zealand CEO said in a statement.

“Obviously, job number one is to stay focused and finish strongly at Air New Zealand so we are set up for more success going forward. Then I’m going to take the summertime to refresh and recharge, and then reflect on what I will do next.

“I am now 48 years old and my wife Amanda and I are at an interesting time in life. Our children will both have finished high school and so we will have a new degree of freedom, including career choices.

“Thus, I would like to think more about how I can best use my skills, abilities and experience to make a further contribution to the success of New Zealand, whether that be through corporate life, politics or a not for profit.”

Speaking to New Zealand’s the AM Show, Luxon said he has talked with the country’s former Prime Minister, John Key (who he is good friends with), about a potential move into politics.

“We’ve talked about it obviously, at some sort of level. He’s an encouraging sort of guy – I mean, I know him pretty well,” Luxon said.

“He said, ‘Look, if that’s what you want to do and you want to give it a go.’ He’s encouraging of any good people that want to get into politics. It’s just a conversation we’ve had over the years.”

However, Luxon said in another interview with NewstalkZB that he was not “John Key 2.0”.

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