Qantas Airways Ltd said on Monday Alan Joyce will take over as chief executive, taking the baton from Geoff Dixon who steps down after a string of belt tightenings as world airlines battle soaring fuel bills. Joyce, an Irishman who has headed Qantas' no-frills carrier Jetstar since 2003, takes over as soaring fuel costs have threatened profits across what Dixon has described as “one of the toughest industries.” US airlines have cut tens of thousands of jobs and at least seven smaller US airlines have filed for bankruptcy and stopped operating this year. “Cost is vital and Alan's had exactly that experience in his running of Jetstar to date. His performance at Jetstar has been very good,” said Angus Gluskie, portfolio manager at White Funds Management. “He seems to be a fairly down to earth person whose focus is on getting the best out of the business and there's not too much ego involved,” he said.