Australian airline Qantas has today named Irishman Alan Joyce is to take over when group chief executive Geoff Dixon steps down in November. He is currently the head of its budget subsidiary Jetstar.
Dublin-born Joyce, 42, who has been with the Qantas group since 2000, previously worked for the defunct domestic carrier Ansett and Aer Lingus. At Aer Lingus, he held a number of roles including positions in network planning, operations research, revenue management and fleet planning. Joyce moved to Australia in 1996 and now holds both Australian and Irish citizenship.
The announcement of Joyce's appointment follows a period of turmoil in the sector. Last week Dixon predicted the aviation industry would shed 100,000 jobs worldwide by the end of the year as high fuel costs force massive restructuring.
Qantas recently announced the carrier would axe 1,500 jobs from its global workforce and said the high cost of fuel would result in a 'new aviation world order.'
Separately, a Qantas Boeing 747 flying from Hong Kong to Melbourne last Friday had to make an emergency landing in the Philippines capital Manila when a hole was torn in the fuselage. Air safety investigators say an exploding oxygen cylinder may have been to blame for the incident.
'Alan will assume the role of chief executive designate from today and will also join the board of Qantas with immediate effect,' said Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford. 'Geoff and Alan will work together over the next four months to ensure a smooth transition and continuity,' he added.
The changeover will take full effect after the company's annual general meeting on November 28.
