Alan Joyce isn’t so stupid.
His plan was never to grow Qantas. The 787 aircrafts are simply a replacement type for the 747.
As Rated D commented, billions have been spent on share buybacks not Aircraft to grow the fleet. All he has done is use previous orders to replace the 747 fleet.
Pilots having sacrificed all to appease the master desperately keep banging on about 787s in the order of 25-50 Which is BS.
Pilots were the only union that offered up 30% productivity increase and a pay reduction in order for the privilege to fly a 747 replacement for more work and less money. Sadly Got to hand Alan the credit for getting one over the unions negotiators,it’s pilots and the contract apart.
The A350 or the 777 will do exactly the same and simply replace the A380.
Until Alan departs at the 100 year mark with close to 100 million in total remuneration I can’t see a change.