Alan Joyce, the long-serving CEO of Qantas Airways, will leave the company earlier than previously announced due to recent reputational turbulence. Vanessa Hudson, the first woman to lead the airline, will assume the role of CEO on Wednesday.
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Qantas recently apologized for falling short in service standards and acknowledged reputational damage following a lawsuit from Australia's competition regulator for allegedly selling tickets for canceled flights. Joyce, who served as CEO for 15 years, stated that the company needs to prioritize its renewal.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) accused Qantas of breaking consumer law by selling tickets to over 8,000 flights without disclosing cancellations. Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder acknowledged the challenging circumstances surrounding Joyce's early departure and the need to restore public confidence in the company.
The airline implemented leadership changes in June to focus on key areas for post-pandemic recovery. Despite these challenges, Qantas posted record annual earnings last month due to a strong rebound in travel demand.