'Top-down culture' | Qantas slashes former CEO's exit pay by millions after damning leadership report

Qantas has cut its former CEO's exit bonuses by more than £4 million after an external review found him responsible for measures that alienated employees, travellers and shareholders in the COVID era and beyond.

The review, which commenced in October 2023 and considered matters over the preceding 12 months, scrutinised the decision-making and governance processes of the board that led to the loss of trust amongst the airline's stakeholders.

As reported by Reuters, the airline has resultantly slashed more than $9million AUD from the final remuneration package of Alan Joyce, who brought forward his retirement to last September, under a cloud of lawsuits alleging unfair pandemic sackings and selling tickets to cancelled flights.

Joyce leaned into controversy during his 15 year reign. In 2011, he grounded its entire fleet over a union dispute.