Leadership News

Paddle Your Own Kanoo • Mateusz Maszczynski

Alan Joyce defends his Qantas CEO record in new memoir, taking responsibility for COVID-era turmoil and operational failures

Former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has resurfaced publicly to defend his tenure and take responsibility for the airline’s tumultuous post-COVID period. His board-forced resignation nearly three years ago followed “a litany of mistakes” and operational failures that drew public backlash, according to the coverage tied to his memoir.

2 Sources

2026-07-26T12:05:50.609664-07:00

Skift

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as director general, succeeding Willie Walsh

23 Sources

2026-07-23T09:54:09.805184-07:00

Runway Girl

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as Director General, effective Nov. 1

8 Sources

2026-07-24T07:20:41.539328-07:00

FlightGlobal

Finnair appoints Fiskars board member Jussi Siitonen as CFO effective Nov. 1, 2026

3 Sources

2026-07-24T03:36:26.828875-07:00

Executive Appointments & Leadership Moves News Timeline

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

2 sources

Alan Joyce defends his Qantas CEO record in new memoir, taking responsibility for COVID-era turmoil and operational failures Former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has resurfaced publicly to defend his tenure and take responsibility for the airline’s tumultuous post-COVID period. His board-forced resignation nearly three years ago followed “a litany of mistakes” and operational failures that drew public backlash, according to the coverage tied to his memoir.

2026-07-26T12:05:50.609664-07:00

Alan Joyce defends his Qantas CEO record in new memoir, taking responsibility for COVID-era turmoil and operational failures

Cranky Flier

None source

Cranky on the Web: American Has an Overall Plan, Delta Has One for Asia

2026-07-25T04:04:25.823842-07:00

Cranky on the Web: American Ha

Runway Girl

8 sources

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as Director General, effective Nov. 1 IATA’s Board has named World Economic Forum executive Saadia Zahidi as Director General, effective Nov. 1, succeeding Willie Walsh, who steps down July 31. Zahidi becomes IATA’s first woman to lead the organization.

2026-07-24T07:20:41.539328-07:00

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as Director General, effective Nov. 1

FlightGlobal

3 sources

Finnair appoints Fiskars board member Jussi Siitonen as CFO effective Nov. 1, 2026 Finnair has named Jussi Siitonen, currently on the Fiskars Group board, as its chief financial officer effective Nov. 1, 2026. He succeeds Pia Aaltonen-Forsell, who has resigned from the airline to take up a new role at another employer, according to the company.

2026-07-24T03:36:26.828875-07:00

Finnair appoints Fiskars board member Jussi Siitonen as CFO effective Nov. 1, 2026

Skift

23 sources

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IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as director general, succeeding Willie Walsh The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has named World Economic Forum managing director Saadia Zahidi as its next director general, effective Nov. 1. She will succeed Willie Walsh, who relinquishes the role on July 31, making Zahidi IATA’s first female director general and first since 1985 without airline executive experience.

2026-07-23T09:54:09.805184-07:00

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as director general, succeeding Willie Walsh

SpaceWatch Global

2 sources

Vast appoints Melanie Stricklan as SVP of Special Programs; names Steve Isakowitz adviser to support a pivot toward U.S. nationa Vast has appointed Melanie Stricklan as senior vice president of a newly created Special Programs division and named Steve Isakowitz as an adviser. The moves accompany Vast’s stated pivot toward U.S. national security missions, signaling an organizational shift to support defense-focused programs.

2026-07-23T01:21:13.611735-07:00

Vast appoints Melanie Stricklan as SVP of Special Programs; names Steve Isakowitz adviser to support a pivot toward U.S. nationa

Payload

4 sources

UK leadership at Farnborough: Burnham backs industrialization and higher defense spending, reaffirming GCAP support New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham used Farnborough to signal “industrialise the nation” alongside increased defense investment, while Defence Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized air power and innovation. Burnham also reaffirmed government backing for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Separately, reporting says the UK plans to scrap the department overseeing UKSA.

2026-07-22T06:11:42.567655-07:00

UK leadership at Farnborough: Burnham backs industrialization and higher defense spending, reaffirming GCAP support

AINonline

13 sources

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Boeing faces B777X readiness delays as FAA accelerates B737 MAX/B787 certification and says the next narrowbody program is unlik Emirates president Tim Clark said Boeing’s first B777X aircraft—produced earlier—will not be accepted due to substantial work still required after production. Separately, the FAA says it has increased Boeing-aircraft certification resources by 35%–40% and authorized airworthiness certificates for B737 MAX and B787 aircraft after the production process ends (effective July 20, 2026). Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg also indicated a successor to the B737 MAX is not expected until after financial stabilization, around the end of the decade.

2026-07-22T04:07:39.339538-07:00

Boeing faces B777X readiness delays as FAA accelerates B737 MAX/B787 certification and says the next narrowbody program is unlik

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Hype's Leadership section provides a curated selection of news and in-depth analysis on the trailblazers and decision-makers in the aviation, defense, and space industries. This collection includes detailed coverage of leadership changes, executive appointments, and the strategic directions set by the industry's top figures, offering a clear view of the personalities driving aerospace innovation and corporate dynamics.