Vanessa Hudson, currently the company’s chief financial officer, will take up the mantle of CEO and managing director. She has spent more than 28 years working in executive positions across the group, including as its chief customer officer and senior vice-president for Qantas across the Americas and New Zealand.

Hudson will continue in her current role, while also being chief executive and joining the board, with an announcement on a new CFO “made in the months ahead”, Qantas said. 

Group chair Richard Goyder said Hudson’s appointment followed a “rigorous selection process” and allowed for a smooth transition from Joyce’s leadership.

“A lot of thought has gone into this succession and the board had a number of high-quality candidates to consider, both internally and externally,” he said.

“Vanessa has a deep understanding of this business after almost three decades in a range of roles both onshore and offshore, across commercial, customer and finance. She has a huge amount of airline experience and she’s an outstanding leader.

“For the past five years Vanessa has had a direct hand in shaping our strategy as a member of the Group Management Committee, and her handling of the finance and treasury portfolio during the Covid crisis was outstanding. She also led the fleet selection process in 2022 for the renewal of our domestic jet aircraft over the next decade.”

Hudson described the opportunity to lead Australia’s national carrier as “an absolute honour”, pledging her focus would be on “delivering for those we rely on and who rely on us – our customers, our employees, our shareholders and the communities we serve”.

Paying tribute to Joyce, who will depart after 15 years at the helm, Goyder said: “Much of the credit for the bright future in front of Qantas goes to Alan.

"He’s faced more than his fair share of challenges as CEO and he’s managed them exceptionally well – from the [Global Financial Crisis], to record oil prices, to intense competitive pressures and the Covid crisis.

"Alan has done a superb job of leading a team that is absolutely committed to the national carrier’s long-term success and it’s from that team that his successor has been chosen.”

Joyce added: "At the board’s request, I extended my time as CEO to see through the Covid recovery plan, so now that we’re on the other side of that crisis it’s a logical time for me to step down.

"There’s still a lot I want to deliver in the next six months and at the top of that list is ensuring a smooth handover to Vanessa, who I’m sure will excel in the role."