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- The Board of Auckland International Airport (AIA) appoints Carrie Hurihanganui as chief executive
- She will replace Adrian Littlewood and will formally take up the role early next year
- Ms Hurihanganui joins AIA from a 21-year stint at Air New Zealand, most recently in the role of Chief Operating Officer
- She began her career in aviation as a flight attendant in 1999 with Air New Zealand while she studied for her Bachelor of Business Management degree
- Shares in Auckland International Airport are up 0.13 per cent to $7.54 at 3:07 pm AEDT
The Board of Auckland International Airport (AIA) has appointed Carrie Hurihanganui as chief executive — the first female to take the helm in the airport’s 55-year history.
Ms Hurihanganui joins AIA from a 21-year stint at Air New Zealand, most recently in the role of Chief Operating Officer where she oversaw pilots, cabin crew, airports, engineering and maintenance, properties and infrastructure, supply chain, resourcing and airline operations teams.
She will replace Adrian Littlewood, who announced his departure in May after almost nine years in the role. Mr Littlewood will finish his position on November 12, after which Mary-Liz Tuck will take over as Interim CEO until Ms Hurihanganui steps in early next year.
Auckland Airport Chair Patrick Strange said Ms Hurihanganui is a highly regarded leader who joins the airport following one of the most challenging times in its history.
“We are confident that her leadership, operational knowledge and focus on customer experience will ensure Auckland Airport’s strong recovery from the pandemic and return to growth as the emerging robust recovery in international aviation and travel reaches New Zealand,” he said.
Ms Hurihanganui was born in the United States before moving to New Zealand 32 years ago. She began her career in aviation as a flight attendant in 1999 with Air New Zealand while she studied for her Bachelor of Business Management degree.
In 2017, she left the airline to join NAB in Melbourne as Executive General Manager of Customer Experience but returned to Air New Zealand in 2018 to assume the role of Chief Ground Operations Officer.
“It’s a real honour to be named the next Chief Executive of Auckland Airport, a great New Zealand company that has a critical role to play in our country’s economy,” Ms Hurihanganui said.
“I have a long history with the airport and I am very excited by the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Shares in Auckland International Airport are up 0.13 per cent to $7.54 at 3:07 pm AEDT.
