Ex-Qantas boss Alan Joyce is spotted relaxing with his dog in a Sydney park after taking home a massive payout when he quit the airline giant
Former Qantas boss Alan Joyce is relaxing alone with his dog in a Sydney park as the embattled airline faces a new controversy.
He was spotted by a passerby five months after his unexpected decision to leave with the airline just weeks before he was set to retire with a $24 million golden handshake.
Mr Joyce, 57, was due to leave the company at its annual general meeting last November, but instead quit two months early amid mounting public criticism.
After securing a $21.4 million payout, Mr Joyce fled to his home country in Ireland to visit family, meaning he was barred from attending a Senate inquiry into Qantas’ controversial decision to charge extra flights of Qatar Airways.
A refreshed Mr Joyce is believed to have finally returned to Sydney in February.
The former high-flying airline boss was seen enjoying some downtime on Monday as he took his dog for a walk in a Sydney park 2GB listener John, who took a photo and sent it to breakfast host Ben Fordham.
Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce was seen relaxing in a park this week
Dressed casually in a navy blue T-shirt, blue baseball cap and blue shorts, Mr Joyce was pictured taking a break on a park bench.
A worried Mr. Joyce held his dog’s leash in one hand as he read his phone in his other hand.
It comes as Qantas faces a new controversy over its recent ‘dual status credit offer’, with the airline accused by a media outlet of inflating fare prices during the temporary promotion.
The latest saga comes as Qantas prepares to tackle allegations of selling canceled flights. A hearing will take place at the Federal Court next week.
“Meanwhile, Alan Joyce is sitting in a park somewhere, hanging from a leash, tending to his dog while staring at his phone,” Fordham told listeners on Tuesday.
The new photo led to divided reactions online.
Alan Joyce resigned as Qantas boss last September. He is pictured with Anthony Albanese (right) and Mr Albanese’s partner, Jodie Haydon (left)
“Why should he care, he made his money destroying Qantas,” one listener commented.
Another added: “Just counting his money and giggling!”
Others came to Mr Joyce’s defense.
“So he’s out with his dog. Many people go out with their dogs,” writes a listener.
Another added: ‘Leave that guy alone! He doesn’t work for Qantas anymore… let the new CEO deal with what’s happening now!’
Shortly after his sudden departure from Qantas, it was revealed that Mr Joyce had been paid $21.4 million for his last full financial year as director.
The huge payout followed a tumultuous year for the fallen CEO with customers delayed and shortchanged.
Alan Joyce left Qantas last September with a $21.4 million payout
A short-term bonus of $2.2 million was withheld pending the outcome of an ACCC legal investigation.
The ABC also revealed at the time that $14.4 million of Joyce’s total payout could be clawed back by the Qantas board “if deemed necessary”, including $8.3 million in previously awarded long-term bonuses.
Mr Joyce spent 22 years at the national airline dubbed the ‘Flying Kangaroo’, including 15 years as CEO before being replaced by Vanessa Hudson.