Air New Zealand’s digital chief to exit, as airline preps for another quarantine-free travel ‘bubble’

Air New Zealand’s digital chief to exit, as airline preps for another quarantine-free travel ‘bubble’
By Travel Weekly


Air New Zealand has announced that chief digital officer Jennifer Sepull will be leaving the airline this week after two years in the role.

Sepull moved from the United States to New Zealand to take up the position in May 2019.

Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran praised Sepull for leading the airline’s digital team through its toughest-ever period while delivering on some major programs of work.

“Under Jennifer’s leadership, Air New Zealand’s cybersecurity and core technology has become stronger, simplified and more resilient,” he said.

“Jennifer and her team have also started the journey to build our future digital architecture.

“On behalf of the executive and the board, I would like to thank Jennifer for her contribution to the airline over the past two years. The digital strategy that she has led will be key to the airline’s future success as we emerge from COVID-19.”

Air New Zealand has commenced a global search for a new chief digital officer, with Sepull to provide transition support to until October 2021.

In other Air New Zealand news, the airline has begun selling flights from Niue to New Zealand following the announcement of a one-way quarantine-free travel route between the two nations.

Air New Zealand will operate one return passenger service every two weeks on a Wednesday using the airline’s A320 fleet, with the first flight arriving into Auckland on 24 March.

An Air New Zealand Airbus A320 aircraft (image source: iStock/Ryan Fletcher)

Foran said the airline was excited to be bringing travellers from Niue to the Land of the Long White Cloud.

“Since successfully and safely launching the one-way quarantine free flights from Rarotonga earlier in the year, our business is primed to operate to more international destinations when it is safe to do so,” he said.

“This quarantine-free travel option from Niue to New Zealand is another great step forward on the journey to safe travel between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.”

Returning Niuean citizens and residents will be required to quarantine on arrival into Niue.

Customers travelling from Niue to New Zealand will be required to wear masks inflight and will arrive at Auckland Airport into a designated area separated from passengers arriving on quarantine flights.

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