Glen Sowry was previously the national flag carrier’s head of public affairs and government relations and his last role was as CEO of retirement village providers Metlifecare.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce reassured staff on Wednesday night that the business is “not at the point” of standing down workers – but refused to rule it out if COVID restrictions continue.
The airline has yet to release a list of the exact routes, but said it will affect its regional and domestic networks in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he believes vaccine passports will be available to be carried on phones by October, after discussion with world leaders at last month’s G7 summit.
The significant intervention on Wednesday came as the airport revealed passenger numbers during the last financial year dipped to their lowest level since 1994, failing to crack 8 million.
Cobham has joined Qantas and Virgin Australia in signing up to a new working group aimed at advancing the creation of sustainable aviation fuel.