Qantas Airways reported a 28 percent decline in net profit for the financial year ending June 30, 2024, with earnings falling to AUS$1.25 billion (approximately US$849 million). This drop was attributed to lower airfares as market capacity expanded post-COVID, increased spending on customer initiatives, and a reduction in freight revenue. Despite the profit decline, the airline's revenue rose by 10.7 percent to AUS$21.9 billion.The airline's new CEO, Vanessa Hudson, emphasized the need to rebuild Qantas's reputation following a series of public scandals and operational challenges. She stated that restoring trust in Qantas as the national carrier is a top priority. Hudson took over from Alan Joyce, whose leadership faced significant criticism over high ticket prices and service issues, particularly after the airline received a multi-billion-dollar government bailout during the pandemic.In response to employee efforts, Qantas announced it would provide AUS$500 travel vouchers to all 23,000 non-executive workers, marking the second such gesture this year. Hudson highlighted the "underlying strength" of Qantas's operations and expressed optimism about future earnings growth, stating that improvements in operational reliability and customer satisfaction were already being seen.Looking ahead, Qantas is focusing on investments in its fleet and customer experiences rather than increasing airfares. The airline aims to navigate the challenges of a competitive market while maintaining a commitment to service quality and operational excellence.
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