Latest news with #Ilumina
Herald Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Qantas: Alan Joyce breaks silence at Sydney aviation conference
Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has been given a warm reception at an aviation summit in Sydney in his first public speaking engagement since exiting the airline almost two years ago. A crowd of more than 200 aviation company executives and airline employees packed the Ilumina conference room as Mr Joyce delivered a 45-minute speech reflecting on his 36 years in the industry. Looking happy and relaxed in a blue suit and dark shirt, Mr Joyce opened with a joke about making the front page of The Australian on Thursday, saying it was great for two reasons. Firstly, he said, it highlighted the importance of aviation and, secondly, it meant 'Donald Trump hadn't done anything weird overnight'. 'It's great that I'm no longer head of the national carrier and I can make jokes like that without worrying about F-16s turning around Qantas aircraft,' he said. Much of his speech touched on his experiences at Qantas in a positive light, and he resumed his advocacy for a sustainable aviation fuel industry, and the need for better pathways for the next generation of pilots, technicians and cabin crew. He spoke of the airline industry's commitment to safety, pointing out that since jet travel began in 1959 fewer than 37,000 people had died in commercial aircraft crashes worldwide, yet every year 1.3 million people died in road accidents. 'When a plane diverts, it makes international news. Because our standard isn't 'better than cars'. It's as close to perfect as possible,' Mr Joyce said. 'We don't hide mistakes: we learn and share. This culture of continuous learning is what makes aviation safety exceptional.' He warned the nature of risks facing airlines were changing, saying mental health, supply chain shocks and climate were among the biggest threats. Mr Joyce said extreme weather was no longer seasonal, it was structural, and more crosswinds, higher-density altitudes and faster storms were changing flight operations in real time. 'Safety systems must now integrate climate intelligence. Pilots and dispatchers must expect the unexpected,' he told the spellbound crowd. 'At Sydney Airport, single-runway operations due to crosswinds used to be rare. In 2014, they happened only a few days a year. By 2024, nearly 40 days. It's a trend driven by more frequent westerlies.' He also tackled the subject of artificial intelligence, pointing out how Qantas and other airlines were using the tool for predictive maintenance to flag issues with aircraft components before they occurred, as well as for flight planning. But, Mr Joyce said there was a greater role for AI in the customer experience, and turning flashpoints such as delays, missed connections and lost bags into 'opportunities'. 'But there's a risk: as smart assistants manage more of the journey, airlines could fade into the background. If airlines don't own the customer interface in the age of AI, someone else will, and we'll become just the plumbing behind the platform,' he said. 'To avoid becoming invisible, airlines must use AI not just for efficiency but to deliver transparent, human-centred experiences.' After wrapping up his speech to a round of applause, Mr Joyce made a quick beeline for the exit, not hanging around to network with the aviation-heavy crowd. Asked how he thought Qantas was going under CEO Vanessa Hudson, Mr Joyce declined to answer. 'I'm only going to talk about what was said in the presentation today,' he said, ignoring questions about the board's decision to slash his entitlements by $9.3m. He confirmed he was keen to remain a part of the aviation industry but would not provide further details on where or in what capacity. Mr Joyce left Qantas in September 2023 after a turbulent period that saw the airline unlawfully sack 1800 ground workers and sell thousands of tickets on already cancelled flights. To date, those two matters have cost the company $240m, with Qantas yet to learn of its penalty for the unlawful outsourcing. Federal Court judge Michael Lee will deliver his decision on Monday, with the Transport Workers Union seeking the maximum fine of $121m. Originally published as Alan Joyce at home in the limelight as he hints at a return to the aviation industry
GMA Network
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Rhian Ramos recalls time she almost quit showbiz
Rhian Ramos revealed that she once came close to leaving the entertainment industry entirely. According to Nelson Canlas' report on '24 Oras' Tuesday, Rhian started her TV career with 'Captain Barbel,' followed by more of her memorable projects like 'Lalola,' 'Ilumina,' 'Stairway to Heaven," and more. The Kapuso actress shared that GMA Network has witnessed her entire adulthood journey. 'Literally wala akong isang kahit isang adult experience na hindi ako Kapuso. All of the officers of the network are my family and this network has even seen me at my worst. So, for me, it's such an honor to be able to promise the network that I'm going to give them nothing but my best from now on,' she said. However, her tenure in showbiz led to what Rhian described as a 'love-hate relationship' with her work. 'There was a time that I almost quit,' she admitted. 'I think when you do any job or anything for a long time, I think there is a point na nagiging love-hate relationship. May mga times na inspired ka naturally kasi magaganda 'yung role or whatever, may mga times din na parang napapagod ka din and parang gusto ko gumawa ng something bago.' During this period of contemplation, Rhian considered pursuing business. 'More on business where I felt like 'yung value ko would be different. Siyempre nauso din ang bashing 'di ba? When there are so many people looking at you and they have negative things to say, they could really break your heart and rip you to pieces with their words,' she said. Rhian just renewed her contract with the Kapuso network on Tuesday. Present at the contract signing were GMA Network President and Chief Executive Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, GMA Network Officer-In-Charge for Entertainment Group and Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, and Rhian's manager Michael Uycoco. 'Nagpapasalamat tayo. The loyalty is so deeply appreciated. 'Yung kaniyang walang patid na pagtitiwala sa GMA and how she's evolved into one of the finest actress of her time, all of these are things that make us all very happy, so nagpapasalamat tayo sa kaniya,' Duavit said. 'I'm so happy for Rhian and I hope she would continue to flourish 'yung career niya with GMA and we're behind her,' Yalong said. 'I've seen her growth as an actress, in fact she's one of our best actresses now. Napakagaling niya, napaka-talented, and I'm very, very happy na she has stayed with us all these years,' Valdes said. Rhian currently stars in 'Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre' as Mitena. —Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
