Q+A with Jack Tame Nikhil Ravishankar: How Air New Zealand can navigate volatile world
Nov 8, 2025
Nikhil Ravishankar, the newly appointed CEO of Air New Zealand, brings a tech and transformation background to the aviation sector. He discusses the critical link between Air NZ and New Zealand’s economy, highlighting strategies for recovery post-COVID. The conversation dives into the role of AI in the airline industry, its societal implications, and how it can enhance tourism. Nikhil also shares insights on his bicultural background and the importance of innovation and diversity in leadership, providing a fresh perspective on navigating a volatile world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Global Partners Shape Recovery Pace
- He highlights New Zealand's subscale market and strained global trading relationships as reasons for a slower post-COVID recovery.
- He points to China and stressed partners as key external factors affecting recovery timelines.
AI As A Collective IQ Multiplier
- Ravishankar considers AI not overhyped and sees generative AI as a powerful current tool.
- He suggests access to advanced models could effectively raise collective capability and change how societies solve problems.
Adapt Education For An AI World
- Treat AI as a force multiplier that can be used for both good and harmful outcomes.
- Reexamine education and skills development to fit a world where AI raises baseline capabilities.