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Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has called for bold leadership in the aviation sector, warning that the “next crisis is always just around the corner”.
Speaking at the Australian Aviation Summit in one of his first major public appearances since leaving the Flying Kangaroo in 2023, Joyce said resilience in the aviation industry often requires making “unpopular” short-term decisions to ensure long-term survival.
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“My first boss at Aer Lingus told me to expect a crisis every seven years. Scientists now worry that once-a-century pandemics might now come every 20 years, or even 10. Geopolitical shocks move faster still,” he said.
“Resilience can’t be a rapid response to crisis. And it’s not the byproduct of size or legacy. Resilience can only be the result of foresight, and the courage to make unpopular decisions in the short term to preserve long-term viability.
“Australia is fortunate to have the strong aviation industry it does today. But let’s not be naïve. The next crisis is always just around the corner.
“So let me say this plainly: resilience means preparing in the good times. It means strengthening your balance sheet when the skies are clear. It means investing in your fleet before the storm hits. It means having the flexibility and the culture to adapt. Because in aviation, the question isn’t if the next crisis will come – it’s when.”
According to Joyce, while the industry has “never been for the faint-hearted”, bold choices are needed to set it up for the future.
“The risk we face now isn’t from external shocks or market pressure. It’s from hesitation. We’ve come through the unimaginable. Now it’s time to build what comes next, if we choose to,” he said.
“If we choose to lead on Sustainable Aviation Fuel before regulation forces our hand. If we choose to invest in the next generation of talent before the skills shortage becomes a crisis.
“If we choose to evolve our approach to safety – managing the risks of today rather than reacting to the crises of tomorrow – and embrace digital transformation and ensure we continue to own the customer interface, and finally, if we choose aircraft technology to overcome the tyranny of distance and enhance the travel experience.
“Then this industry can continue to thrive – and protect travel for generations to come.”
Joyce has made few public appearances in the past two years, with only one notable interview on the “Our Future Skies” podcast last year ahead of the release of The Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston’s The Chairman’s Lounge.
His speaker bios also appear to confirm rumours that he is writing a memoir to be released next year. The Financial Review earlier reported the former executive’s “colourful new agent”, named as Robert Joske, confirmed he was talking to book publishers about his “star client” penning a book.
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says:Whatever your views on A.J., – good or bad, you have to look and learn from the results he actually achieved. If you dismiss his results because of some probably valid subjective personal opinion, then just maybe you are headed in the wrong direction.
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says:Hi Rod – Not sure that your comment re “wrong direction” on the views of Mr. Joyce are valid. What he has said may have some validity but his previous actions have not supported his comments about the future of aviation. Without a too long dissipation – Mr. Joyce, together with the then Board, made some very poor decisions that are still effecting QANTAS today. Regards, John Sainsbury
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says:Gidday John and yes, some poor decisions were made, in my opinion not upgrading of the fleet some years ago, eg., B777-300ER just dismissed was and is the greatest mistake but then, was that a hangover from the Geoff Dixon era? A.J. was a money/capital man and qualified too and that is why I think the company is in good financial shape today, yes, unfortunately his people management skills, lifestyle, political associations, social actions totally divorced from aviation and love of his face in the press certainly didn’t inspire the attitudes of the thousands of staff and their unions. On the other hand, his inter airline peers hold him in high esteem. For the record, I am not an A.J. fan, but I am very well aware that a popular boss is maybe not doing his/her job correctly, Cheers RodP