Qantas chairman-elect John Mullen has revived hopes the airline can win back the support of its staff and union stakeholders, as the former Toll Holdings boss prepares to succeed Richard Goyder in the coveted role.

Louise Davidson, the chief executive of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, whose members include major Qantas backers Aware Super and HESTA, said investors had made clear their demands when Qantas was last year dealt the highest protest vote for a top 50 ASX company since National Australia Bank post-Hayne inquiry.