Qantas has today announced that Andrew David, CEO of Qantas Domestic and International will retire in September 2023. The role, which was combined during the pandemic, will be separated moving forward.
On Monday (February 27, 2023), Qantas Group announced key management team changes. Andrew David, currently CEO of Qantas Domestic and International, will retire from September 2023. The role was combined during the pandemic, and will once again be separated, with Cameron Wallace joining the Group as CEO of Qantas International and Freight from July 1st, 2023, and Andrew David remaining on as CEO of Qantas Domestic until September, as the company launches the recruitment process for his successor. Cameron Wallace has over two decades of experience in the airline industry in the Asia Pacific region, and will be tasked with growing Qantas International’s capacity to 100 percent of pre-pandemic levels, while guiding preparations for Project Sunrise, with the first flight planned in late 2025.
In today’s announcement, Qantas Group’s CEO, Alan Joyce, said,
“At the start of the pandemic, we rationalised the two CEO roles for Qantas Domestic and Qantas International down to one given what was happening to our business. With Andrew retiring and given the amount of investment now in the pipeline, it makes sense to again have separate CEOs for the International and Domestic businesses, which are both back to generating billions in revenue each year. Andrew has contributed a huge amount during his 10 years across both Qantas and Jetstar. His leadership of Qantas’ domestic, international and freight businesses has been pivotal, especially during the incredible challenge of putting the airline into hibernation and bringing it back again.
“On behalf of the Board and the rest of the management team, I want to sincerely thank Andrew for what he’s done for the Group. His contribution spans turning a newly launched Jetstar Japan into an extremely reliable airline, through to bringing Qantas Domestic back to its best. The operational, commercial and strategic perspective he’s brought to various situations has been invaluable.
“The Qantas Group has always been able to attract top talent and Cam Wallace is 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, with responsibilities spanning sales, revenue management, market development, alliances and cargo. Cam is inheriting a very talented team and will add to the depth of experience on our Group Management Committee.”
Also commenting on his new role as CEO as Qantas International and Freight’s CEO, Cameron Wallace, said,
“It’s an honour to be joining Qantas, especially at a time when it’s investing so heavily in aircraft and service. It’s the world leader in opening up direct international routes, and Project Sunrise is one of the most exciting things happening in aviation. I’m really looking forward to working with Alan and the team.”
Speaking on his upcoming retirement, Andrew David added,
“I’ve worked for five airlines in some 30 years of my aviation career. The Qantas Group is an amazing organisation made up of incredibly skilled and passionate people, which makes it hard to leave. My family all live in New Zealand and the past few years have obviously been very difficult in that respect, so I’m looking forward to spending a lot more time with them from September.”
The rest of Qantas Group’s Executive Committee will remain unchanged after the transition.
Source: Qantas Group