Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty is stepping down and returning to Australia 

Geraghty joined the airline as New South Wales state manager in 2004, holding several roles in Australia before relocating to New Zealand in 2016. 

She is one of nine people on the airline’s group executive team. 

“After 20 incredible years with Air New Zealand, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my role as chief customer and sales officer,” Geraghty said today. 

“I will be returning to Sydney to be closer to my family.” 

The airline today said Geraghty was crucial to the successful market launches of flights to New York, Houston, Chicago, Taipei, Seoul, and Buenos Aires. 

“Her leadership has also seen the appointment of a new uniform designer, the implementation of numerous brand and marketing campaigns, and the production of multiple safety videos.” 

Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran said Geraghty’s contribution to the airline over the past two decades was immense. 

Her resignation is effective from January and the airline said a process to fill her position will start shortly.