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Alan Joyce admits errors during Qantas leadership
Alan Joyce reflects on errors as former Qantas CEO, takes accountability for pandemic mistakes and illegal staff sackings
Alan Joyce reflects on errors as former Qantas CEO, takes accountability for pandemic mistakes and illegal staff sackings
– Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce acknowledged his mistakes and challenges during his tenure, including the pandemic’s impact.
– He maintained that Qantas made more good decisions than errors, ensuring the airline’s survival.
Joyce said the airline ultimately ‘made more right decisions than wrong’. Picture: 60 Minutes.
Joyce described his tenure as “dog years,” reflecting on unpredictable job satisfaction.
He specifically noted that Covid-19 posed significant challenges, including grounding international flights and legal disputes over staff dismissals.
“At one stage we had 11 weeks of cash left before we were going bankrupt,” he said.
“It was the most horrible period I’ve had in my entire career, ‘cause you were making horrendous decisions to make sure the airlines survived.”
The airline faced a $90 million penalty for illegally sacking 1820 employees during the pandemic, the largest penalty in Australian corporate history.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission also initiated legal action against Qantas for misleading customers about flight cancellations.
He said that his hope was to retire at 53, as Qantas enjoyed record profits and customer satisfaction by 2019.
However, he stated that his plans were disrupted due to the pandemic’s impact.
“I look back at where we were in ‘19, Qantas was at the highest of high, it had the best customer service rankings it’s ever had,” he said.
“It was making record profits and I was thinking, what a great way to sail into the sunset.”
Joyce characterised that period as his career’s most difficult time, describing a near-bankruptcy situation.
He admitted to the mistakes made during the pandemic, emphasizing that accountability rests with the CEO.
Joyce maintained that Qantas made more good decisions than errors, which contributed to its survival.
He remarked on the crisis caused by grounding flights and the overwhelming number of passengers needing re-accommodation.
Joyce accepted direct responsibility for illegal staff sackings, explaining that decisions were driven by survival needs.
He reaffirmed his belief that the airline’s operational decisions were correct overall amid the turmoil.
Joyce claimed that Qantas did not conspire against workers’ rights prior to negotiations for the baggage handlers’ enterprise agreement.
Despite the challenges faced, he believes the airline remains viable due to its decision-making during the crisis.
