Jeff McDowall to succeed Rob McDonald as Air NZ CFO

In a statement to the stock exchange, chief executive Christopher Luxon said McDonald signalled his intention to take up non-executive appointments from 2018 almost two years ago, which allowed the airline to put in place a robust succession planning process. McDonald has been CFO since 2004 and will remain in the position until the end of the year.

"Jeff is incredibly well placed to build on the outstanding legacy that Rob, who is the longest-serving member of my executive team, will leave," Luxon said.

McDowall has held a variety of senior finance and commercial roles with global exposure since joining Air New Zealand in 2000. Prior to his 17-year career with the airline, he spent six years as a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers in New Zealand, Singapore and the US as well as three years with Mobil Oil in New Zealand and the UK.

Air New Zealand's shares recently fell 2.2 percent to $3.18. The shares were under pressure as investors reacted to a pipeline leak disrupting jet fuel supplies at Auckland International Airport.

The disruption of jet fuel supply prompted carriers to restrict fuel use by consolidating passenger numbers and cancelling flights, and Air NZ today said it estimates about 2,000 of its own customers will be affected today.