Cam Wallace, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer for Air New Zealand talks about the drastic measures taken to stay afloat through the pandemic, the job losses and strains, and plans for the future.
Video / Cameron Pitney
Cam Wallace will join Qantas as group chief executive of Qantas international and freight from July.
This morning he announced his resignation as chief executive of MediaWorks and his new job will pit him against Air New Zealand’s international operations. He worked there for almost two decades.
Alreadyspeculation has begun across the Tasman that Wallace could be a contender for the top job at the Australian carrier when Alan Joyce retires.
Wallace will oversee Qantas’ return to 100 per cent of its pre-Covid international capacity and the Project Sunrise - ultra-long-haul flights non-stop flights from Australia’s eastern seaboard to Europe and the east coast of the United States.
He was part of a wave of senior executive departures from Air New Zealand in the months after the pandemic hit in 2020.
“It’s an honour to be joining Qantas, especially at a time when it’s investing so heavily in aircraft and service,’' said Wallace. ‘‘It’s the world leader in opening up direct international routes, and Project Sunrise is one of the most exciting things happening in aviation. I’m really looking forward to working with Alan and the team.”
First class suites are planned for Project Sunrise flights.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the airline had always been able to attract top talent and Wallace was one of the ‘‘best airline executives in the region.’'
His 19-year career at Air New Zealand, with responsibilities spanning sales, revenue management, market development, alliances and cargo.
Qantas last week announced a record half-year profit of more than $1.1 billion as the airline joins others in rebounding strongly from the depths of the pandemic.
Wallace ‘s appointment comes following the appointment of Andrew David, also a Kiwi, who will retire in September as head of Qantas Domestic and International. Joyce said the new jobs made sense.
“With Andrew retiring and given the amount of investment now in the pipeline, it makes sense to again have separate CEOs for the international and domestic businesses, which are both back to generating billions in revenue each year.’'
Wallace, who has worked for Air New Zealand in Australia early in his career, will take a fund of knowledge about the airline to Qantas. His start date with the Australian carrier will come soon after Qantas launches its Auckland to New York non-stop flights, taking on Air New Zealand on its flagship route.
Qantas is rebuilding its international network quickly and has new long-range Airbus A350 aircraft on order for its Project Sunrise flights. Sydney-New York non-stop flights are also planned.
Wallace left Air NZ in September 2020, as part of a big executive reshuffle by chief executive Greg Foran who said: ‘‘Under Cam’s leadership, Air New Zealand’s passenger, cargo and loyalty revenues have experienced unparalleled growth over the past six years.’'
For part of 2020 Wallace had been the face of the airline through its refund and credit crisis and updating passengers on Twitter about its operations.
He is well-regarded in the airline and travel industry and was a contender for the top job at Air New Zealand after Christopher Luxon’s resignation.
