Alan Joyce

Our guest today is one of the most successful and recognisable and I think probably at times controversial Irish business leaders of his generation.

Alan Joyce grew up in Tala.

He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and he began his aviation career with Aer Lingus, but it was on the other side of the world that he made his name.

For 15 years, Joyce ran Qantas, one of the world's most famous airlines, steering it through extraordinary turbulence, the financial crisis, industrial disputes, fierce competition, the grounding of the airline's fleet and ultimately COVID-19, where essentially the aviation industry came to a halt.

Along the way, Qantas made billions.

Joyce himself became one of Australia's best known chief executives and developed a reputation of being a formidable and sometimes polarizing corporate leader.

Peter, you did the interview with Alan Joyce.

I thought it was fascinating, but you obviously had a lot of homework to do because he had a new book out.

Mm-hmm.

Alan Joyce, friend of the pod.

[laughs]

Mm-hmm.

She was labelled at the time the minister for Qantas.

So with all of that in your recent history, wouldn't you say to the boss of Qantas, Vanessa Hudson, look, that's a very kind offer.

Why don't you offer it to me when I'm not the transport minister? I mean, if you wanted to make sure it was still going to be there for a rainy day, that's one way you could say it.

Look, I just don't think it's appropriate while I'm in this portfolio area to accept such a gift.

Their rival Qatar wanted to expand into Australia, offering more flights and greater competition on airfares.

It would have been a win for the average passenger.

But Catherine King rejected the request after solid lobbying from the former Qantas boss, Alan Joyce.

Under pressure to explain herself, the transport minister then offered eight different reasons for blocking more competition.

It would have been a win for the average passenger.

But Catherine King rejected the request after solid lobbying from the former Qantas boss, Alan Joyce.

Under pressure to explain herself, the transport minister then offered eight different reasons for blocking more competition.

First, it was because of a class action lawsuit involving Aussie women against Qatar Airways.

The decision led to Catherine King being labelled as the minister for Qantas.

She's hardly alone in this regard, reports the Australian Financial Review.

Her current boss, Anthony Albanese, spent his brief tenure as Transport Minister asking for upgrades from Alan Joyce.

Those revelations were aired in the Financial Review by Joe Astin, with the Prime Minister denying it.

That was, to be fair, she was a Qantas employee and AFR was a must-read during the Joe Astin, the, what's his name? Ex-Qantas CEO.

Alan Joyce.

Alan Joyce saga.

Yeah.

Are you a big subscriber to the Fin Review?

right to the top.

You called Alan Joyce back from the other week.

He might have been involved.

He's not

Whose LMS is that, Micah? That is.

Oh, another one.

Has Alan Joyce called you? Fly Emirates, exceptional service.

Yes, I know it is.