Qantas sets up a tussle for top job

QANTAS has confirmed the appointment of former Air New Zealand customer and chief commercial officer Cam Wallace as chief executive of its international airline, setting up a three-way tussle for Alan Joyce’s role when he leaves at the end of 2023.

Mr Wallace had a storied career at Air New Zealand before resigning in 2020 during the pandemic crisis to take up a position as CEO of MediaWorks.

His resignation from MediaWorks was announced on Monday morning and Qantas confirmed his appointment as its international and freight boss, effective July 1.

The airline also announced the retirement of current Qantas International and Domestic chief executive Andrew David in September, with his portfolio to be split in two beforehand.

Mr David was given responsibility for international during the pandemic, when flying was reduced to government-funded repatriation flights.

Now international services were increasing, Qantas said it “made sense” to again have separate CEOs for the domestic and international businesses.

The appointment of Mr Wallace was expected to see him join Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth and chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson in the race for Mr Joyce’s role.

Mr David had been considered only an outside chance for the top job, after his role in the controversial decision to outsource the jobs of more than 1600 ground workers in late 2020.

The Full Federal Court found the decision was unlawful but that ruling is now the subject of a High Court appeal by Qantas.

In a brief statement, Mr David said the Qantas Group was an “amazing organisation made up of incredibly skilled and passionate people”.

Mr Joyce thanked him for what he had done for the Qantas Group, and praised Mr Wallace as “one of the best airline executives in the region”.

“He brings over two decades of airline experience including his long career at Air New Zealand,” said Mr Joyce.