Qantas CEO Alan Joyce will step down tomorrow, expediting his retirement as pressure mounts against the record profit-setting airline.

A statement from Qantas reasons he has brought his withdrawal “to help the company accelerate its renewal”.

Press PLAY to hear more about Alan Joyce’s sudden retirement

InvestSMART Head of Strategy and finance commentator Evan Lucas told Millsy and Karl on 6PR Breakfast despite Vanessa Hudson replacing the embattled boss, Qantas still has a lot to answer for.

“[The board] need to have a really good look at themselves, and the AGM held in November will likely be a fiery affair,” Mr Lucas said.

WA Business News Aviation Editor Geoff Thomas agreed with Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings it would be an inglorious ending to Joyce’s tenure.

“It really is a shame, because he has actually done many good things at Qantas,” Mr Thomas said.

“There’s lots of challenges for Vanessa Hudson; it’s not going to be easy.”

Press PLAY to hear more on the potential fallout from Joyce’s exodus

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