Qantas to shed pilots in latest phase of cost saving plan

Qantas to shed pilots in latest phase of cost saving plan
By admin


Qantas pilots have become the latest employees to be hit by a wave of job cuts across the airline as part of its $2 billion cost saving program.

The airline confirmed earlier this month that of the 5000 jobs cuts to take place, 2200 will be made by June. But until now, maintenance staff have mainly been in the firing line.

The accelerated retirement of Qantas’ Boeing 747 and 767 fleet will see the airline negotiate voluntary redundancies with the aircrafts’ captains and first officers with discussions to commence with the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) this week.

“We have managed a surplus of pilots to our operational requirements for several years using directed leave and facilitating leave without pay for pilots to work with other airlines, including Jetstar,” Qantas chief pilot Captain Dick Tobiano said.

“But with the number of these aircraft reducing significantly over the next few years, the simple fact is that we need less pilots.”

However, the airline said it will not be providing a number of impacted pilots until after the expressions of interest process is complete.

The AIPA confirmed it is working with the airline to ensure a “fair and reasonable” program of voluntary redundancies for the pilots.

AIPA president Nathan Safe said that while it was “regrettable” to see pilot numbers being reduced, it is working to ensure the process is managed with “as little pain to individual pilots as possible”.

“AIPA is now negotiating with the company to ensure the voluntary redundancies offered fairly reflect the typically long years of quality service invested by Qantas pilots," he said.

"Obviously from AIPA's perspective it is far better to see fleet reductions managed with older pilots stepping out on their own terms, rather than younger pilots being made redundant compulsorily."

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