Air New Zealand CEO Quits After More Than Six Years in the Job

(Bloomberg) -- Air New Zealand Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon resigned after more than six years in the role, as he raised the possibility of a new career in politics.

Luxon, 48, will step down from day-to-day leadership of the airline on Sept. 25, the company said Wednesday. An international search for his replacement is underway and a new CEO is expected to be announced in the near future, Chairman Tony Carter said in a statement.

Air New Zealand shares more than doubled under Luxon’s tenure and the airline’s revenue and profit jumped. Luxon said he’d have a break after he finishes up, and was open to a range of new work, including politics.

“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,” Luxon said in the statement.

Luxon is eyeing the 2020 election in New Zealand to start a career with the center-right National Party, according to a Newshub report last year.

To contact the reporter on this story: Angus Whitley in Sydney at awhitley1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ville Heiskanen at vheiskanen@bloomberg.net, Peter Vercoe, Indranil Ghosh

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