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Virgin Australia executive Stephen Beckett has been named the next chief executive of airline industry peak body Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ).
Beckett, currently the general manager of government and industry affairs at Virgin, will finish his current role on 16 October before starting at A4ANZ on 20 October.
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He has previously served as head of public affairs at Brisbane Airport and senior tourism, transport and trade adviser to the Queensland government.
According to A4ANZ chair Professor Graeme Samuel, this gives Beckett “exceptional experience across aviation, tourism and transport policy, with intimate knowledge of the strategic and operational challenges facing our industry”.
“With ongoing regulatory, commercial and geopolitical pressures confronting aviation, Stephen has the proven expertise to support our member airlines in Australia and New Zealand as they navigate this increasingly complex environment,” he said.
“Together, Stephen and I will be laser-focused on ensuring that Australia and New Zealand’s aviation sector remains efficient, competitive and sustainable, with regulatory frameworks that support both financial viability and environmental responsibility while serving the needs of growing communities.
“Aviation is an essential service that connects our communities, drives economic growth and creates jobs across the region. Our immediate priorities will be ensuring air travel remains accessible and affordable for consumers while supporting our member airlines’ ability to operate sustainably.”
Beckett will replace outgoing chief executive Emma Wilson, who has been in the position for approximately 12 months, having replaced predecessor Alison Roberts in late 2024.
“Emma has provided great leadership during her tenure, particularly while guiding A4ANZ’s advocacy throughout the Australian Government’s Aviation White Paper process,” Samuel said.
In a post on LinkedIn, Wilson congratulated Beckett on his appointment and said she had “wanted to wait until I was in a position to publicly welcome a new CEO at A4ANZ” before stepping aside.
“I know that Stephen will do an incredible job of leading A4ANZ and have no doubt that the future of the organisation is in safe hands,” she said.
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead A4ANZ, and I have deeply appreciated the trust that the A4ANZ Chair, Graeme Samuel AC, and the A4ANZ Board has shown in allowing me to do this in my own way.
“To quote the indomitable Deborah Vance, ‘this was my dream, and I’m so glad I got to do it – but the dream changed, and so did I’.”
A4ANZ represents Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas, Rex, and Virgin Australia.
