Air New Zealand Announces Director Appointment

Air New Zealand has today announced that Neal Barclay will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director from 1 May 2025. Mr Barclay brings extensive commercial, sustainability and leadership experience having served most recently as the Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Energy, New Zealand's largest electricity generator and retailer.

At Meridian Mr Barclay held several senior leadership roles including as Chief Financial Officer, General Manager of Wholesale and Generation, and General Manager of Retail. In these roles, he has led large scale cultural change, championed a customer first approach to business and driven substantial renewable energy growth.

He also spent 13 years with Telecom New Zealand, holding a variety of senior finance leadership positions. He is also a non-executive director of Chorus in New Zealand.

Air New Zealand Chair Dame Therese Walsh says Mr Barclay’s deep commercial and infrastructure experience will be of immense value to the Board.

"Neal is a highly regarded business leader within New Zealand and his extensive commercial and financial skills, alongside his infrastructure sector expertise will further strengthen the Board. While still navigating some challenges, the airline is moving into a very exciting period in its history, and we’re thrilled to have Neal on the journey which is to deliver value to our stakeholders and ensure long term strong governance."

Mr Barclay remarked, "Air New Zealand has always been a company I deeply admire as it’s critically important to New Zealand’s prosperity. Its unwavering commitment to connecting New Zealanders with the world, coupled with an innovative spirit, is truly commendable. As the airline celebrates its 85th anniversary this year, I feel privileged to join the Board at such a significant moment in its history. I look forward to working alongside a strong Board and becoming part of the Air New Zealand whānau."

Mr. Barclay holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington and was made a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It’s a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 8.7 years. Air New Zealand’s global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2023, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2024 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline’s laser-focus on safety and won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand in 2023 – the 9th year in a row.

Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Frameworkhelps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand’s loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn AirpointsDollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.

About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in 189 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.

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