Qantas CEO to step down as airline’s reputation under scrutiny

Early exit: Joyce (left) and CEO designate Hudson pose for photographs during a news conference in Sydney. Joyce is stepping down two months early, as Qantas apologises for its service standards falling short. — Bloomberg

SYDNEY: Qantas Airways says that long-serving chief executive officer (CEO) Alan Joyce is to exit the company two months earlier than previously flagged as a reputational turbulence engulfs Australia’s flagship carrier.

Joyce’s early retirement will see CEO designate Vanessa Hudson, the first woman to lead the century-old airline, take charge today.