In a move that has sparked controversy, former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has departed the airline with a colossal £14.4 million (A$21.4 million) final payout, despite a series of crises that marred his final year at the helm.
The massive sum, confirmed in the airline's annual report, includes £2.4 million in salary and bonuses, plus another £12 million in shares. This comes after Joyce brought forward his retirement by two months amidst mounting pressure.
A Legacy Under Scrutiny
Joyce's final year as CEO was arguably one of the most turbulent in Qantas's recent history. The airline faced intense scrutiny over several major issues that severely damaged its public reputation.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took the airline to court, accusing it of engaging in 'ghost flights'—selling tickets for thousands of cancelled journeys. Furthermore, the carrier was found to have illegally sacked 1,700 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, a ruling that is now under appeal.
Public and Political Backlash
The revelation of the multi-million pound payout has ignited fury among passengers and politicians alike. Many see it as a reward for failure, given the nosedive in customer confidence and the numerous operational failures that occurred on his watch.
Qantas's new chairman, John Mullen, acknowledged the annus horribilis, admitting the airline had undergone a 'huge blow to our reputation' and that its performance had 'fallen short of expectations.'
Looking to the Future
Joyce has been replaced by Vanessa Hudson, the company's first female chief executive, who now faces the formidable task of rebuilding passenger trust and steering the airline back to profitability and its former esteemed reputation.
