Rugby loss in Vatukoula

Chinese investment is a boost for the Vatukoula gold mine. But one loser seems to be its rugby team.

Word is that the now majority shareholder Zhongrun International Mining doesn’t have the same passion for supporting rugby as past managements.

Past leadership at the country’s biggest mine included people from such rugby playing nations as Britain and South Africa.

Zhongrun International is apparently firmly focused on reducing operating costs, lifting production levels and overcoming the challenges of fluctuating international prices. Rugby doesn’t seem to be high in their business plan.

Where are they now?

What’s happened to the former MD/CEOs heavily involved in restructuring and developing Fiji Airways following the Qantas dominated Air Pacific era,.

American Dave Pflieger (Fiji Airways 2010-2013), who led the Fiji Airways restructure, most recently oversaw the restructure and sale of Hawaii’s second airline.

Loss making Island Air, owned by tech billionaire Larry Ellison, was sold off to Hawaiian investors. Mr Pflieger then went to work directly for the Mr Ellison, the Oracle CEO and co-founder. Mr Ellison retains a non-controlling interest in the airline, according to Hawaii news reports. Island Air operates a fleet of ATR72 turboprops between Hawaiian islands.

Stefan Pichler (Fiji Airways 2013-2015), who left to try to turn around loss making Air Berlin in his home Germany, continues to face big challenges.

European media reported Mr Pichler on Thursday outlined the carrier’s disastrous 2015 results.

CEO Pichler was quoted as saying the airline’s net losses of US$507.73 million were disappointing, but he was optimistic about 2016.

Air Berlin is Germany’s second biggest airline. It operates 130 aircraft, mainly Airbus and Boeing jets, on domestic, European and inter-continental services.

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