Field to replace Joyce narrows with Qantas executive's departure

The field of contenders to replace Alan Joyce as the boss of Qantas Airways has narrowed after the shock departure of the head of its international operations after only a year and a half in the job. Qantas said Thursday morning that Alison Webster had resigned as CE of Qantas International, with her last day to be on April 24. Webster has been in the role since November 2017 and no explanation for the departure was given. The 51-year-old, who joined Qantas in 2004, was head of Qantas' cabin crew and ran its freight division before taking over the international operations from Gareth Evans, who became CEO of Qantas' budget arm Jetstar. Joyce has been in the top job at Qantas for 10 years and has said he wants to stay on as CEO until Qantas' centenary celebrations in November next year. Qantas, meanwhile, is considering buying next-generation jets that can operate ultra-long haul non-stop flights from Melbourne and Sydney to London and New York, following the success of its Perth-London non-stop service.<br/>