Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder must step down: Qantas pilots

The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) is calling on Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder to step down. It is the first time in the Association’s history that it has made such a call on a Qantas chairman. The unprecedented intervention comes amid low pilot morale after the botched recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and a series of woeful decisions. AIPA has written to Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson informing her of the pilots’ position. “Richard Goyder has overseen one of the most damaging periods in Qantas history which has included the illegal sacking of 1,700 workers, allegations of illegally marketing cancelled flights, and a terribly managed return to operations after Covid-19,” said AIPA president Captain Tony Lucas. “The morale of Qantas pilots has never been lower. We have totally lost confidence in Goyder and his Board. “Qantas desperately needs a culture reset but how can this happen with Richard Goyder as chairman? “Despite overseeing the destruction of the Qantas brand, Goyder last week accepted a near $100,000 pay rise – taking his pay to $750,000 – while staff are expected to accept a two-year wage freeze. This is a galling and tone-deaf decision. “Qantas is more than just an airline – it is a symbol of national pride and trust. “For our great national carrier to flourish, it needs leadership from a Board that understands the value of its employees, respects its customers and can win back the trust of the nation.”