Qantas Pilots Call for Chairman’s Resignation

The Qantas domestic terminal at Sydney Airport in Australia on Aug. 25, 2022. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

A major union representing pilots is calling on Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder to resign.

Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) President Tony Lucas said Mr. Goyder has overseen “one of the most damaging periods in Qantas’ history”.

Mr. Lucas has written to Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson to inform her of the association’s stance.

“The morale of Qantas pilots has never been lower, we have totally lost confidence in Goyder and his board,” Mr. Lucas said.

“Qantas desperately needs a culture reset but how can this happen with Richard Goyder as chairman?”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to comment on Mr. Goyder’s position when asked by the media on Sept. 26, however, he admitted the national carrier had work to do.

“Qantas has a lot of work to do to repair the damage that has been done to its reputation, both in terms of workers and in terms of customers,” the prime minister told media.

Opposition transport spokesperson Bridget McKenzie said the decision will be a “matter for shareholders.”

“But I think to the pilots’ points, Qantas as a corporate citizen has not covered itself in glory in recent past,” she said on ABC News Breakfast.

The Epoch Times has contacted Qantas for comment.

Recent Drama

Qantas has been facing a barrage of media and customer concerns in recent weeks.

This includes former CEO Alan Joyce leaving the company two months early amid allegations the company sold 8,000 tickets for plane flights that had already been cancelled.

New CEO Hudson was also ordered to attend mediation with the Transport Workers Union regarding compensation for 1,700 workers sacked during COVID-19.

The Qantas share price has fallen 5 percent in the past five days and is currently fetching $5.18.

Qantas sought to improve customer relations with a market update yesterday.

The national carrier will invest $80 million to deal with “customer pain points” including frequent flyer seats, customer service and in-flight catering.

However, ticket prices may remain where they are after the airline warned fuel prices had jumped 30 percent since May 2023 and 10 percent since August alone.

A photo taken on Aug. 22, 2023 shows a Airbus A321 Neo operated by the Qantas low-cost airline Jetstar at Kingsford Smith Airport in Sydney, Australia. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)mon

Qantas may need to review airfares in the weeks ahead if fuel prices do not come down.

“The Group will continue to absorb these higher costs, but will monitor fuel prices in the weeks ahead and, if current levels are sustained, will look to adjust its settings,” Qantas said.

“Any changes would look to balance the recovery of higher costs with the importance of affordable travel in an environment where fares are already elevated.”

Parliamentary Committee Examines Qantas

Meanwhile, a parliamentary committee is investigating the government’s decision to stop Qatar Airways from flying more planes into Australia.

Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has alleged Qantas lobbied the government to block its plan for 28 extra flights into Australia.

Qatar, airport and union representatives, the Productivity Commission, and the Australia-Qatar Business Council are among the parties giving evidence in parliamentary hearings in Brisbane and Canberra.

AAP contributed to this report