The airline reported a $2.47 billion underlying profit, while hundreds of customers are still waiting for refunds on axed flights. Its former CEO Alan Joyce was paid $21.4m for his final full year in charge, despite stepping down early. His pay would have been higher but some of the promised bonuses have been withheld. The carrier said it might even claw back some more money from Joyce should the reputational crisis continue.
"We take our obligations under consumer law, and therefore these allegations, very seriously and are working through the legal process now underway. What we can say in the interim is Qantas’ longstanding practice is that when a flight is cancelled, customers are offered an alternative flight or a refund. However, in the interests of good governance, the Board will withhold payments under the FY23 short-term incentive program for senior executives while this matter progresses." said the group's chairman, Richard Goyder in the annual report.
The airline has also suffered a series of hydraulic technical incidents with its Boeing 737 fleet which have seen passengers stranded on jets for hours. The delays and the reported poor customer service after the events are having a detrimental effect on the carrier's already tarnished reputation.
