If ever there was a poisoned chalice, he's drinking from it. He's glugging it back. Drowning in it.
They've suspended their guidance after the gas price went nuts. Doubled on Iran.
That's after announcing a loss of $60 million for the half year.
And now they're hiking prices - up to $90 on international fares - and, reportedly, looking at cutting some routes.
On top of all that you've got David Seymour barking loudly about selling half of you off.
His problems are financial, but the implications are very political. As they always are for the boss of our national carrier.
It's up there with the PM and Rennie's job at NZR in terms of profile and criticism.
But when the going gets tough, you've got to front.
If an NZX update of the kind we saw yesterday was put out by the CEO of a company not half owned by voters, then you'd get away with no public interviews.
But that is not the case for Air NZ.
I spoke to Greg Foran the other day - another Air NZ boss who timed his landing into the job terribly (COVID) - and thanked him for always fronting to the public when the going got tough.
Over the years, he made himself very available. Didn't really matter whether the news was good or bad. There was plenty of bad, engine issues, prices, Covid travel refunds etc.
Which begs the question, as the airline faces new headwinds, where in the world is Nikhil Ravishankar?
Ryan Bridge is a New Zealand broadcaster who has worked on many current affairs television and radio shows. He currently hosts Newstalk ZB's Early Edition - where this article was sourced.
2 comments:
I mean what for, Ryan? What do you want to hear from him? Virtue signalling! Are you a shareholder in your own right?
Please note that when "the going gets tough", the Chair of The Board & Directors are suddenly on holiday.
In the case of ANZ, current matters of concern have longevity, and past CEO's and Company directors are the ones who -
- consider the written & verbal data
- debate the logistics & Financing
- make the decision[s] and inform the CEO, who the "carries the can" when the 'the proverbial' arises'.
As always it is The People (those that need to use an airline to travel) who have to dig deeper into ever funds to pay (so called) for services provided, the main one is the Fees that the CEO & Company Directors get - they will ensure that happens over paying an account or 2.
The merger of then TEAL & NAC should never have happened, but sadly someone got to Rob Muldoon.
And also keep in mind, since this "merger" our ANZ has not accepted any - any airline competition across NZ, and now we (The People) are paying for that stupidity.
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.