Sahar Mourad
Travel Trouble

Alan Joyce slammed for blaming travellers

Aussies travellers have slammed Qantas CEO Alan Joyce for saying they are to blame for crowded and lengthy waits at the airport. 

After two years of little to no flights due to the pandemic and staff being laid off, people are going on well-deserved holidays.

During the pandemic, Qantas laid off almost 8,000 employees but Joyce was given a huge $1.6 billion in support from the government. 

So it’s understandable that Aussie travellers might be fuming somewhat in the wake of his comments, calling them “rusty” and not noting the fact that he had gotten rid of most of the staff. 

“Passengers are rusty in travelling,” he said.

He then tried to relate to others by saying he forgot his passport the other day while travelling.

“I left my passport in my hotel safe. One of my colleagues left her passport on a BA flight,” he said.

“Another colleague last week thought that the gate number was her seat number and got them confused.”

Sydney Airport has endured four days of crowds as people try to escape for the school and Easter holidays. 

Lines were seen snaking through the terminals and even outside the airport.

On Monday, Joyce apologised for his comments and instead requested staff be patient.

“I want to apologise to all of our passengers – on behalf of the airports who do the security, on behalf of the airlines having to deal with this, and ask our passengers for continued patience,” he told ABC News Breakfast.

Large crowds are expected to continue through the Easter holidays up to ANZAC Day as people take advantage of the extra time off. 

 

Image: Getty

Tags:
Qantas, Alan Joyce, Sydney Airport, travel, holidays, Easter