Qantas pilots call for airline chair to step down in 'unprecedented' intervention

Qantas pilots have issued an unprecedented call for the airline's chairman Richard Goyder to stand down, saying morale among pilots had never been lower.

The Australian and International Pilots Association, which represents Qantas Group pilots around the world, said in a release that their intervention was prompted by a "botched recovery" from the COVID-19 shutdown, and "a series of woeful decisions".

The Association said it had written to new Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson to tell her of its position.

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"Richard Goyder has overseen one of the most damaging periods in Qantas history which has included the illegal sacking of 1700 workers, allegations of illegally marketing cancelled flights, and a terribly managed return to operations after COVID-19," AIPA president Captain Tony Lucas said.

"The morale of Qantas pilots has never been lower. We have totally lost confidence in Goyder and his board."

Lucas said Qantas "desperately" needed a culture reset.

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"Despite overseeing the destruction of the Qantas brand, Goyder last week accepted a near $100,000 pay rise - taking his pay to $750,000 - while staff are expected to accept a two-year wage freeze," he said.

"This is a galling and tone-deaf decision."

Qantas would not comment directly on the call by the AIPA, but in an interview with the ABC last week, Goyder said he would not be stepping down as chair despite pressure from consumers and investors.

The latest blow for the embattled national carrier comes after its market update yesterday revealed fuel prices have increased by 30 per cent since May this year, including 10 per cent in the last month alone.

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This could result in a need for Qantas to "adjust its settings" in coming months, the airline said.

Hudson, who replaced outgoing CEO Alan Joyce, apologised to customers last Friday, saying the airline had often not "delivered" as it should.

"We understand why you're frustrated and why some of you have lost trust in us," she said.

She said Qantas would work to win back public trust.

Captain Lucas, meanwhile, said the airline was a symbol of national trust.

"For our great national carrier to flourish, it needs leadership from a board that understands the value of its employees, respects its customers and can win back the trust of the nation," he said.