Airports cop 'unlawful behaviour' from Qantas, Canberra Airport chief tells inquiry
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More news: Qantas will only change if reined in by a regulator or the High Court, Canberra Airport chief executive Stephen Byron says. Speaking under parliamentary privilege to a Senate committee, Byron told an aviation inquiry sitting in Perth that Australian airports had copped "unlawful behaviour" from Qantas, with the airline acting as if it were "above the law".
What they said: "Things need to change with Qantas ... our opinion is that Qantas will not change unless they're brought to heel by a regulator, or by the highest court in the land," Byron told the committee examining bilateral air services agreements.
Byron said reforming the slot system — which authorises take-offs and landings at airports — would be "most critical" to achieving competition, including the need to enforce a "use it or lose it" rule.
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson issues public apology
The news: New Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has vowed to rebuild customer trust in a public apology over what she says has been a humbling period for the flag carrier.
The numbers: Qantas has had a series of reputational hits, including ACCC allegations it oversold flights, Alan Joyce's $21.4 million remuneration and the High Court finding it illegally sacked 1700 workers during the pandemic. Last month Qantas removed the expiry dates on $570 million worth of COVID related travel credits.
The context: Hudson stepped into the role of CEO when Joyce departed earier this month after 15 years in the top job. Chair Richard Goyder said on Thursday the airline had made mistakes but he had the confidence of the board and investors.
What they said: "I know that we have let you down in many ways and for that, I am sorry," Hudson said in the video published on social media.
"We haven't delivered the way we should have. And we've often been hard to deal with.
"We understand why you're frustrated and why some of you have lost trust in us."
The source: Qantas
