Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe leaves the company at the end of this month after his tenure at the top of an airline that has weathered well some of the most tumultuous years in aviation.
Fyfe has been boss for seven years and profits during the past year beat expectations as other airlines - notably Qantas in this region - faltered in a tough market with soft demand and continued high fuel prices.
The airline and the former air force officer has continued this year to collect a slew of awards, the latest an induction into the hall of fame at the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, which neatly described his contribution.
"Rob Fyfe brought to Air New Zealand a change of style which drastically reshaped the mentality of the airline, engaging the workforce and its travelling public," the citation said.
