Qantas has created a new role to spearhead the push of its new NDC trade model, which it announced last year.
The airline has appointed Alexandra O’Connor as Head of Sales Channels, effective from July. Reporting to Qantas Executive Manager Global Sales & Distribution Kathryn Robertson, she is tasked with overseeing agency sales and operational support, and bringing together key sales functions to strengthen how the carrier supports its trade partners across all channels.
The new position is timed with the 01 July launch of the airline’s new distribution model, with the goal of driving greater adoption of IATA’s NDC technology among travel advisors in Australia.
“Alex will play a key role in supporting our agency partners through the transition to NDC, as we continue to focus on setting them up for success and making it easier to deliver an even better experience for their customers,” Robertson said.
O’Connor has spent the last two years based in Auckland as Qantas Regional General Manager, in which capacity she led the commercial, financial and operational performance for the airline in New Zealand and several key Pacific Island markets.
Further aviation experience includes more than six years with Air New Zealand, during that time holding the key Head of Agency Sales role for two years from 2009 to 2011.
Following that, she also spent four years at Virgin Australia, where she rose to become NSW Manager. O’Connor will be based in Qantas’ Mascot office.
