The Walshe Group has appointed aviation industry veteran Russell Williss as sales & marketing manager for Air Niugini in New Zealand ahead of the airline’s return to its Auckland-Port Moresby service.
Williss brings more than 30 years’ experience, returning to The Walshe Group following a senior leadership role with Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Airlines, where he worked as country director New Zealand until November 2025.
His career spans senior commercial and operational roles across aviation, travel and tourism, giving him extensive knowledge of the New Zealand market and strong relationships across the travel trade and corporate sectors.
Williss joined Hawaiian Airlines in 2015, having worked as the airline’s New Zealand sales manager with The Walshe Group. He has also held roles as director, sales & marketing with Platinum Chauffeur Drive and corporate sales manager at Qantas.
In his new role, Williss will lead Air Niugini’s sales and marketing strategy across travel trade, corporate, MICE and emerging market segments, with a focus on revenue growth, strategic partnerships and strengthening the airline’s market position.
He joins at a pivotal time for the Air Niugini, as the airline resumes its thrice-weekly nonstop services between Auckland and Port Moresby from 17 November 2026, marking the first direct air link between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in more than 26 years.
Williss will commence with The Walshe Group on Monday 14 September and will be based in Auckland.
