Air New Zealand’s CEO Appointment Sparks Racist Backlash

The recent appointment of Nikhil Ravishankar as the new chief executive of Air New Zealand has ignited a wave of racist comments on social media, prompting major news outlets to disable their comment sections. Ravishankar, who previously served as the airline’s chief digital officer, is set to take over from Greg Foran in October. His appointment marks a significant moment for the national carrier, yet it has been marred by a torrent of online abuse focusing on his Indian heritage.

As news of Ravishankar’s appointment spread, the New Zealand Herald and other leading media organizations found themselves overwhelmed with derogatory remarks. The New Zealand Herald took the step of disabling comments on their Facebook post announcing the news, citing “racist comments” as a primary reason. “We appreciate the high level of interest in this story but cannot safely moderate it at this time,” the outlet stated.

In a similar vein, Radio New Zealand also disabled comments following their monitoring of the situation, finding a surge of racist remarks. A spokesperson for RNZ emphasized their commitment to creating a safe online community, stating, “We will not tolerate harmful communications.” The TVNZ 1News digital service echoed these sentiments, noting that while most comments were appropriate, some were not, leading to their decision to restrict comments.

Ravishankar’s credentials are substantial. He holds bachelor’s degrees in science and commerce from the University of Auckland and has been with Air New Zealand for nearly five years, focusing on enhancing its technology and customer services. Prior to his role at the airline, he served as chief digital officer at Vector New Zealand and held leadership positions at Accenture in Hong Kong and Australia.

In his first public statement after the announcement, Ravishankar expressed pride in the legacy of Air New Zealand. “This airline is an institution with a deep legacy but also a fantastic future,” he said. “It’s a privilege to step into the CEO role and take on that responsibility for our people, our customers and our country.” He emphasized the importance of community and the airline’s commitment to its roots in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The backlash against Ravishankar’s appointment highlights ongoing issues of racism within New Zealand. Recent data from the 2023 Census indicates that individuals identifying as Indian have now become the third-largest ethnic group in the country, surpassing the Chinese community. A total of 292,092 people in New Zealand identified as Indian, marking a 22 percent increase since 2018.

The largest ethnic group remains New Zealand European, with a population of 3,099,858, followed by Māori at 887,493. In Auckland, the Indian community has grown significantly, rising from 154,824 in 2018 to 175,794 in 2023.

Air New Zealand’s appointment of Ravishankar comes at a time when discussions about diversity and inclusion are increasingly pertinent. The airline faces not only the challenge of leading a major corporate entity but also navigating the complex social landscape of New Zealand culture.

As the airline prepares for this transition, the focus will remain on whether it can foster an inclusive environment that reflects its diverse customer base while addressing the challenges posed by the negative online sentiments surrounding its new leadership.