After 15 years as chief executive, Joyce was slated to retire in November, but will now leave immediately.

“Events from the past” made him realize this was “the best thing” he could do, he said.

Despite a series of scandals, the airline has earned record profits.

On Wednesday, Vanessa Hudson will succeed Mr Joyce as Qantas’ first female boss.

Over the past two years, Qantas has been criticized for its expensive airfares, mass delays, and poor treatment of its employees.

Australian consumer watchdog – the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) – announced it was taking legal action against Qantas after the airline announced a record A$2.5bn ($1.6bn; £1.3bn) profit a week earlier. The ACCC is alleging the airline sold tickets for thousands of cancelled flights.

As a result of last Thursday’s lawsuit, the national carrier now faces three lawsuits.

As well as appealing a ruling that it illegally outsourced thousands of jobs during the pandemic, the company is defending itself against a class action filed by customers over its inflexible flight credit program.

Several groups, including some lawmakers, are pressuring shareholders to vote down Mr Joyce’s final remuneration package, which is reportedly up to $24 million.

Mr Joyce did not address those calls in a statement on Tuesday.

During his time at Qantas, he was proud of many things, but he said it now needed to “move forward with its renewal”.

There have been many ups and downs, and there is clearly more work to be done, especially to ensure that we always deliver for our customers. But I leave knowing that the company is fundamentally strong and has a bright future.”