Overview

Alan Gerard Joyce AC is an Irish-Australian business executive who served as CEO of Qantas Airways from 2008 to 2023; overseeing Australia's national carrier through its most controversial period. Born in Dublin; Ireland; Joyce emigrated to Australia in 1996 and rose through Qantas management. In October 2011; Joyce made the extraordinary decision to ground Qantas's entire fleet without warning; stranding approximately 70;000 passengers worldwide in an escalation of disputes with labor unions. The lockout was the first time in Qantas's history that the airline had completely ceased operations. Fair Work Australia intervened to end the lockout after just two days; ordering workers back to the job. Joyce's most damaging scandal emerged after his departure: the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) filed federal court proceedings against Qantas in September 2023; alleging the airline sold tickets on more than 8;000 flights it had already decided to cancel; a practice known as "ghost flights." The ACCC alleged Qantas kept selling seats on cancelled flights for an average of more than two weeks after the cancellation decision; with some flights sold for up to 47 days post-cancellation. The case affected approximately 86;000 passengers. Qantas ultimately settled with the ACCC for $120 million AUD in penalties; one of the largest consumer law settlements in Australian history. During the COVID-19 pandemic; Qantas received $2.7 billion AUD in Australian government support while simultaneously laying off approximately 8;500 workers; outsourcing 2;000 ground handling jobs to cheaper contractors in a move the Federal Court later found to be illegal. Joyce was also pied in the face at a business event by a 70-year-old man protesting Qantas's support for same-sex marriage. Joyce received approximately $24 million AUD in his final year as CEO and departed the company in September 2023; two months ahead of schedule amid mounting scandals. His total remuneration during his tenure was estimated at over $125 million AUD.

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