Australian Aviation

Labor says its reforms will increase transparency around slot allocation, hold airlines accountable for “misuse” of slots and introduce a “recovery period” after major delays.

The union, which has had a volatile relationship with the national carrier for more than a decade, said replacing Richard Goyder with John Mullen offered workers a “glimmer of hope”.

John Mullen will join the board from 1 July 2024 and has previously held directorships at Macquarie Airports and Toll Holdings.

The Transport Workers’ Union has urged Virgin owner Bain Capital to keep its promises to ground staff, cabin crew and pilots under whichever CEO replaces Hrdlicka, while the Australian Services Union said the passing of the torch allows for a “reset” with customer service staff.

The shock announcement comes as the carrier, currently owned by US investment firm Bain Capital, prepares to re-list on the stock market for the first time since it went into administration during the pandemic. The board will now begin a global search for her replacement.

The 24-hour rolling strikes, which were to end on Thursday, will now continue to at least Sunday 25 February as a survey of Australian Federation of Airline Pilots members showed 85 per cent did not agree Network’s management “actively and adequately address FRMS issues”.