Generational change for Qantas as the airline industry enters a new era

The appointment of Alan Joyce as next CEO of Qantas is more than just a reward for Joyce's highly successful performance in establishing Jetstar as a major airline force, domestically and globally. Mr Joyce is no less than a quarter of a century younger than his soon-to-be predecessor. The timing of such a generational change, as the industry itself enters a wholly new era, should be seen as more than coincidence.

The next Qantas CEO, who takes over on 28-Nov-08, after the annual general meeting, will face an array of challenges. But then, as a former American Airlines CEO once said, "this is a nasty rotten business". Unpredictable challenges and change are the norm in a business which is so sensitive to economic, regulatory, safety, environmental and many other external influences beyond management's control.