Air New Zealand will appoint chief financial officer Jeff McDowall as acting chief executive after Christopher Luxon vacates the role on 25 September.

The Star Alliance carrier says that McDowall "is not seeking permanent appointment to the role", and thus a global search for a new chief executive is continuing.

Stephan Deschamps, the airline's general manager corporate finance, will take over as acting chief financial officer.

Luxon's resignation date coincides with the airline's annual general meeting, which will also see chairman Tony Carter retire and be replaced by existing director Therese Walsh, who is co-ordinating the search process.

"We are fortunate to have a talented executive team who are united in their support of Jeff to lead them and the business as acting chief executive officer during this interim period. Jeff has held senior management roles across the airline for more than a decade and is well known to investors, stakeholders and key partners, such as the travel trade and unions,” she says.

Luxon tendered his resignation in June but will continue to advise Walsh and the new chief executive once he leaves the company.

Source: Cirium Dashboard