Qantas staff overjoyed after Alan Joyce’s early departure from the airline: ‘We’re having a great time’

The sudden departure of Qantas boss Alan Joyce sparked jubilant staff cheers as a former captain chimed in on the saga to slam the airline over the “unimaginable” crisis.

Mr Joyce, 57, was due to retire in November but has been under increasing pressure in recent days, putting the airline into crisis mode and leading to his early departure on Tuesday.

Retired Qantas pilot Captain Richard de Crespigny was on board a flight on Tuesday when news broke in midair that Joyce had disappeared, sparking extraordinary celebrations.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce left Qantas abruptly on Tuesday. He is pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Prime Minister’s partner Jodie Haydon

“The exposure to Qantas is at an all-time low. In fact, two planes are currently grounded due to ground handling accidents.”

“Remember that two years ago, in my opinion, they were wrong to fire ground handlers and the airline and passengers suffered as a result.”

Pilots and cabin crew weren’t the only Qantas employees to cheer.

“We’re celebrating not just because he’s leaving, but because his heroic story failed massively,” a ground crew member told A Current Affair on Tuesday.

Customer reaction was equally brutal.

Mr de Crespigny, who worked for Qantas for 34 years, warned the airline will not regain confidence overnight.

“It’s made in teaspoons and destroyed in shovelloads,” he said.

“It takes incredible skill, determination and empathy to build; it must be protected.’

Former Qantas captain Richard de Crespigny (pictured) was en route on a flight when news of Joyce’s death broke on Tuesday, sparking wild celebrations

The sudden departure of Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has sparked jubilant celebrations from Qantas employees (Qantas crew stock photo)

He has been critical of the leadership of his former workplace, saying it is “inconceivable” that management could continue to receive pay rises while the airline lost performance.

“For the passengers and staff who have suffered under Qantas’ poor leadership… they find it inconceivable that the CEO and executives would receive a massive pay rise when the airline fails,” added Mr de Crespigny.

Joyce was well loved and respected by Qantas employees when he first took on the role 15 years ago.

“He started Jetstar, a successful low-cost airline where most have failed,” said Mr de Crespigny A topical matter on Tuesday.

Relations soured after Mr Joyce locked out employees during a labor dispute before hundreds of employees lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic

“Some of them didn’t come out well at all.” “They lost their jobs, they lost their homes, they lost their marriages,” de Crespigny said.

“The workers who stopped Qantas…they really suffered a lot.”

“And it wasn’t a good vision to see the leadership team, the CEO, continue to receive bonuses at the expense of maybe the baggage handlers and other people who lost their jobs.” “That’s not a good example of leadership.”