Freedom Air Appoints New General Manager
Freedom Air today announced the appointment of Stephen Jones to the position of General Manager.
Stephen will move to the new position from Air New Zealand where he is General Manager of Business Performance in
Ventures. In his current role he leads strategy and business development across cargo, airports, engineering services
and Freedom Air. He has been with the Air New Zealand group for more than three years and recently worked on the Air New
Zealand business transformation project.
Previously Stephen spent 17 years with Fletcher Challenge Energy gaining a wide range of skills in business development,
engineering and finance across a number of roles.
Commenting on his new appointment Stephen Jones says he is keen to build on Freedom Air’s solid, successful history.
“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to lead Freedom Air in what is going to be a dynamic period of growth in a
very competitive market.”
Current acting General Manager, Michael Young will move to Air New Zealand to take the position left vacant by Stephen.
Young has been acting general manager for the past two years, since former general manager Wayne Dodge was diagnosed
with cancer. Dodge passed away from his illness in late May.
Young says that he is excited by the challenges he will face in his new position. “My new job will give me the
opportunity to develop my business performance and strategy skills across other areas of the Air New Zealand group.”
Ralph Norris, Air New Zealand CEO, says he is delighted that both positions have been able to be filled internally.
Stephen is very strong in strategy and business development and these skills will add an exciting dimension to the
Freedom Air business,’ he says. “Michael has done a great job at Freedom Air and I believe that his extensive operations
experience will enable him to hit the ground running when he moves to the ventures business, he says. “
Both men will take up their new positions in October this year.
ENDS