Alan Joyce AC
ROBERT JOSKE MANAGEMENT CLIENTS
Alan Joyce AC
BSc, MSc, MA, FRAeS, FTSE
Alan Joyce is best known for his leadership as the CEO of Qantas Airways, a role he held from 2008 until 2023. During his tenure, Alan guided Qantas through some of its most challenging times, including the global financial crisis, the 2011 union dispute, and the COVID-19 pandemic. His strategic vision and innovative approach led to Qantas becoming one of the most successful and profitable airlines in the world.
Alan’s contributions to the aviation industry and his unwavering commitment to diversity have been honoured with him being named as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
One of Alan’s notable accomplishments was the successful launch and growth of Jetstar Airways, Qantas’ low-cost subsidiary. As the founding CEO, Alan led Jetstar to become one of the world’s most successful budget airlines, demonstrating his ability to innovate and adapt to evolving market trends.
Alan and his team also transformed Qantas Loyalty into the dominant player in the Australian market, a significant profit centre, and a strategic asset for the airline. Moreover, his efforts in promoting sustainability propelled Qantas to commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the second airline globally to do so. Alan also spearheaded groundbreaking advancements in super long-haul flights, particularly the ambitious Project Sunrise, which seeks to establish direct connections between Australia’s eastern coast and major global cities such as London and New York.
In addition to his role at Qantas, Alan has held prominent positions on several boards. He served on the board of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for 12 years and as Chairman for one term. He also served on the board of the oneworld alliance for 15 years, holding the position of Chairman for three years. Additionally, Alan served as a director of the Business Council of Australia for 9 years.
Born on June 30, 1966, in Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland, Alan’s journey to the top of the aviation industry began with his education at the Dublin Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science (Physics and Mathematics). He further pursued his studies at Trinity College Dublin, obtaining a Master of Science degree in Management Science.
Alan’s aviation career began at Aer Lingus, where he gained valuable experience in diverse roles such as sales, marketing, IT, fleet planning and network planning. In 1996, he relocated to Australia and joined Ansett Australia. In 2000, Alan joined Qantas Airways and his rapid advancement within Qantas led to his appointment as CEO of Jetstar in 2003, and then as CEO of Qantas in 2008.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Alan is also celebrated for his advocacy of gender equality, indigenous and LGBTQ+ rights. As one of the first openly gay CEO, he has been a vocal champion of diversity and inclusion, playing a pivotal role in the Australian Marriage Equality campaign. His unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive corporate culture has garnered him widespread respect and admiration.
Alan is a gifted orator in both the formal keynote format or the more casual Q&A style. He takes briefs from clients and tailors his speeches to tackle the areas that clients wish to highlight in their conferences or board room meetings.
Alan Joyce regarding his new book 'Riding the Jet Stream'.
"For the past year, I've been working on a book - a memoir of my life and career. Today I can finally tell you it's real and that you can pre-order it. Its title: Riding the Jet Stream.
When I sat down to research and write it, I had two motivations.
The first was to set the record straight on what actually happened during my career: the Global Financial Crisis, the grounding of the Qantas fleet in 2011, the industrial battles, the unrelenting public scrutiny, and the period that brought global travel to a standstill: COVID-19. So much was written and said in real time. I wanted to tell it as it actually unfolded, in the room, under pressure, with every decision carrying enormous consequences for tens of thousands of people.
The second reason was more personal. I wanted to encourage young leaders to learn from my successes and my failures, because I think that's where the real lessons sit. I grew up in a working-class home in Dublin, the son of a cleaner and a factory worker, and I found my way out through numbers: mathematics, then management science, and eventually into the complex and volatile world of aviation. Aer Lingus. Ansett. Founding Jetstar. And then, at 42, being appointed CEO of Qantas. The path from there to here was never a straight line, and it certainly wasn't easy.
This book is also about resilience, what it actually feels like to lead through a crisis when there is no playbook. It's about leadership under genuine pressure, the kind that doesn't relent. And as one of the few openly gay CEOs in corporate Australia, it's also about what it took to use that platform for something bigger than the bottom line, including the campaign for marriage equality.
During nearly three decades in aviation leadership, I had the privilege of working with some of the giants of the industry. And as CEO of Qantas, I worked alongside some extraordinary people whose advice, courage and commitment I will always cherish. This story belongs to them too.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it."
Alan is currently based in Sydney.
Representative:
Robert Joske Management Pty Ltd
Tel: + 61 2 93281444
Mob: + 61 412 211 510
