Fiji Airways unaffected by Boeing 737 MAX 9 Grounding
Fiji Airways has issued a statement reassuring its passengers that its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet remains unaffected by the Federal Aviation Administration’s temporary grounding of the MAX 9 model. The airline clarified that the directive addresses concerns specific to the MAX 9 aircraft not operational in Fiji Airways’ fleet.
Meanwhile, Fiji Airways subsidiary Fiji Link has revised its changes to services to Taveuni while maintenance of the runway at Matei is conducted between 18th September and 1st October 2024. Fiji Link flights on the new closure dates have been withdrawn while afternoon flights from 25th September to 1st October will be advanced or cancelled based on demand.
Fiji Airports appoints three execs
Fiji Airports has made three new executive appointments.
Dr Emmanuel Narayan has been appointed the Legal Counsel, William Reece as Manager Air Navigation Engineering Services and Luke Luvevou as Manager Information and Communications Technology.
Fiji Airports Chief Executive, Mesake Nawari says with their unique backgrounds, talents, skills, knowledge, experience and contributions, the new executive will help the team position Fiji Airports to success.
Patel resigns from EFL, extends role at FNFP
Daksesh Patel has resigned as the Chairman of the Energy Fiji Limited Board. Rokoseru Nabalarua has replaced him as Chair. Patel will continue as a Director with the power company.
Meanwhile the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) has reappointed Patel as Director and Chairman. In a statement, the FNPF noted that under Patel’s previous tenure as Board Chair, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fund yielded high investment returns, declaring a 7% interest rate to members for the 2023 financial year, the highest credit interest rate declared by the Fund in 24 years. During his term, the Fund also grew its diversified investment portfolio, with assets totaling $9.5 billion and has paid out $2 billion in interest to members’ FNPF accounts in the last 6 years. Patel will serve for a period of 4 years following this reappointment to the FNPF Board.
ADFIAP Leadership Transition
Fiji Development Bank CEO Saud Minam is the new chairman of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), taking over from Mominul Islam.
RBF outlook
Fiji’s economic landscape faces global and domestic challenges against a weakening global economy and a widening merchandise trade deficit, according to the latest Reserve Bank of Fiji economic review. Labour market conditions remain tight, and key economic indicators show signs of recovery, accompanied by sufficient foreign reserves, mixed commodity prices, and ongoing support from the financial sector.
Tribute to iconic leaders
Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has paid tribute to local business icons, Yanktesh Permal Reddy (known as YP Reddy), and Vinod Patel, who died within days of each other last week. Rabuka acknowledged their visionary leadership, philanthropy, and significant contributions to Fiji’s business landscape.
FNU and GBS Collaboration
Fiji National University (FNU) collaborated with Australia’s Griffith Business School (GBS) in hosting a human resources study tour in which GBS students engaged with FNU’s academic staff, local stakeholders, and real-world applications, enhancing their understanding of human resource management in the Asia-Pacific region. Supported by the Australian government’s New Colombo Plan, the tour took place at FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies in Nadi.
Tourism leaders
Sue Gavidi-Regu has been appointed Director of the Sales Centre for the Sheraton and Westin Resorts Denarau Complex. Gavidi-Regu has a 19-year career in the Fijian tourism industry.
Pleass Global’s Strong Finish and Leadership Changes
Pleass Global Ltd has announced a provisional revenue figure of $22.0m for the 2023 financial year, marking 27% growth over 2022. In a statement to the South Pacific Stock Exchange, Managing Director, Warwick Pleass highlighted strong growth, increased production capacity, and ongoing development of the Kila Sustainable Smart Community. Meanwhile, key management changes at Pleass include the appointment of Catherine Pleass as Joint CEO, Fomiza Bano as General Manager, Systems and Internal Audit, Reanu Ramani as GM, Corporate Affairs, and Prachit Kumar as Project Manager.