Jetstar slams union demands as “unsustainable” as it prepares for more strikes

Jetstar has labelled wage claims from unions “unsustainable and “inconsistent”, as the airline cuts 10 per cent of its January flights to minimise disruptions.
“Due to the potential for ongoing action by the AFAP in particular, Jetstar is proactively adjusting its schedule for the rest of January by reducing domestic capacity by about 10 per cent,” the airline said in a statement.
“Doing this well in advance will significantly reduce disruption in what is the airline’s busiest month of the year, compared to the three to five working days notice the union is required to give of any industrial action.
“Customers already booked on these flights will be contacted in coming days to be offered alternatives, including full refunds.”
Jetstar also confirmed it is expecting the disruption and cancellations to cost the airline between $20 and $25 million.
Almost 100 Jetstar flights were cancelled over the weekend as pilots walked off the job and at least 30 were cancelled on Friday as ground crew and baggage handlers engaged in strikes across the country.
“Industrial action doesn’t change the fact the wage claims being made by the TWU and AFAP are unsustainable,” Gareth Evans, Jetstar’s CEO said.
“In the case of the pilots, the union is asking for what amounts to a 15 per cent wage increase in the first year in a group where captains earn more than $300,000 a year.
“For some groups, their salaries would increase by $60,000. We can’t agree to that.
“The TWU’s claims equate to a 12 per cent increase in costs for Jetstar ground crew who earn around $70,000 per year on a part-time basis and around $90,000 per year on a full-time basis. This is despite the same union agreeing to a three per cent wages deal in other parts of the Qantas Group.
“There’s no doubt that industrial action is expensive and frustrating, but we have to hold the line on costs or it threatens the long term sustainability of our business. We apologise to the customers whose plans have been caught up in what the unions are doing.”
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has confirmed baggage handlers and ramp workers for the low-cost airline will take industrial action on Thursday 19 December because the airline continues to “refuse to negotiate on workers’ modest demands”.
The TWU is seeking more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts, guaranteed 30 hours of work a week and an annual wage increase of 4 per cent per year, despite the airline claiming the union is seeking a 12 per cent increase.
All branches of the TWU have written to Jetstar urging the company to expand investigations into safety at all airports after Safe Work NSW issued a notice over the risk to workers of “serious injury”.
“Again we apologise to the travelling public for the disruption and we want to emphasis that this is the only course that Jetstar has left workers to take. Jetstar workers are on forced part-time hours and poverty wage,” Michael Kaine, the TWU national secretary said.
“They struggle to support their families and regularly can’t pay their bills.”
“We are also appalled that Jetstar has failed to adequately address the serious concerns the NSW safety regulator has with the airline. Malfunctioning equipment and deliberate understaffing are putting workers at serious risk of injury and all the company can do is deny it.
“We are demanding that Jetstar comply with all workplace, health and safety requirements and review its operations across the country to assess the risk to workers.
“There is simply too much at stake here: when workers are at risk, so are passengers,”
The Thursday strikes are scheduled as follows:
Sydney: 10am-12pm; 5.30pm-6.30pm; and 6.30pm-7.30pm.
Melbourne: 9.30am-11.30am; 4pm-5pm; and 5pm-6pm
Brisbane: 6am-8am; 6pm-7pm; and 7pm-8pm.
Adelaide: 6am-8am; 6pm-7pm; and 7pm-8pm.
Cairns: 5.30am-7.30am; 1.30pm-2.30pm; and 2.30pm-3.30pm
Avalon: 8am-10am; 6.30pm-7.30pm, and 7.30pm-8.30pm.
Travel Weekly has reached out to the Australian Federation of Pilots (AFAP) for comment.
Latest News

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests
Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]

MSC Cruises announces MSC World Asia Webinar
MSC Cruises has announced a webinar series tailored for travel partners focusing on MSC Cruises’ newest ship, MSC World Asia, set to launch in 2026. The webinar is scheduled over two sessions on Wednesday 12 February 2025. Bronwyn Knight, MSC Cruises NSW/QLD/ACT BDM, will host an 8:30am (AEST) session while Aaron Eilers, MSC Cruises Queensland BDM, […]

Legendary Italian hotel, Il San Pietro di Positano, opens new clothing and accessories boutique
Anyone planning a trip to Italy this northern summer should leave room in their Louis Vuitton luggage.

AAT Kings’ NT boost with air credits
AAT Kings really dominates travel in the Top End and news like this only adds fuel to the fire.

Camino Women and Laos’ Khiri Travel announce new mountain trail for Australian women
Responsible tourism starts with one foot in front of the other. This trek sounds like there are a few more steps.

Thousands of dollars worth of prizes on offer through ATIA’s ‘Rockstar Renewal’ campaign
Of course it's nice to be called a rockstar, but we'd like to be a part of the superstar surge personally.

Sally Miles joins Linkd Tourism’s trade team
Having lived in the US and Japan, Sally will no doubt thrive in this role!

Maximise your Emirates journey with complimentary hotel stays in Dubai
Any freebie is a good freebie, but a free hotel in Dubai has to be pretty high on the list.

Celebrity Xcel unveils ‘The Bazaar’ set to transforms onboard experiences
No word if Xcel will make its way to Australian shores - we'd expect koala cuddling and kangaroo boxing.

CT Partners expands focus on business meetings and events
AIME is looking like it will be bigger than Ben Hur... it was a movie? Charlton Heston? Never mind.

South Africa’s The Royal Portfolio appoints Nigel Pace as executive head of sales to ultra-luxury portfolio
First job on the list is to visit all the luxury properties in the portfolio. Next, he'll be perusing all the menus...

Radisson Hotel Group concludes record-breaking year
40,000 keys is a lot of keys. We wonder if there is a master key to all of these.

Countdown underway for 2025 Visit USA Expo in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne
The two-week countdown is on, but we've been counting down for nearly 50 weeks since the last one!

WA Labor commits $500,000 to a study for future Broome cruise passenger terminal
Given the emerging popularity of cruising in this part of the world, another stop is welcome.

Maximum Occupancy New Zealand conference to return to Auckland in March
If we were to take a stab in the dark we'd say this one's all about getting those rooms full... Just a guess!

NRMA’s Turtle Sands Nature resort officially opens
For some of us, sometimes there is a bit too much nature. Try explaining to the little ones why mum buries the kids.

Outrigger appoints new sales & marketing head for Kaua‘i Beach and Kona resorts
As anyone who has worked on a resort will know, stress-free paradise is for the guests only.

Five new food and beverage guides for Coral Coast road trippers
From fresh oysters to the perfect steak, The Coral Coast is a foodies dream. We're sure you can find a good wine too.

Aboard the Palau Paradise Express, Qantas’ new direct route to remote Pacific island
There are plenty of 'hooks' for this story and our roving correspondent will soon tell us all about it.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge celebrates 25th anniversary with new adventures
Baillie Lodges has announced that it is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge with a range of new helicopter experiences for the 2025 season. Kicking off on 22 May, the 2025 season promises five months of generously inclusive luxury adventures for guests in nature’s own playground where black bears forage shoreside, whales, […]

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is set to open on in April
First cab off the rank is getting our pronunciation of this new venue right, so we can tell the cabbie.

Moreton Bay region presents exciting events for 2025
There's more than just the bugs to look forward to if you're in Moreton Bay in 2025.

Mint Payments unveils new layer of financial protection for travel industry
Mint is here with all the tips of financial safety. Rule #1: No buying gift cards for cold callers.

Longitude 131° reveals dates for 2025 Artists-in-Residence with Ernabella Arts
Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta has announced the 2025 dates for its popular Artists-in-Residence program in partnership with First Nations Anangu artists at Ernabella Arts. Longitude 131° holds a privileged, long-term working partnership with the team at Ernabella Arts, which includes commissioning artworks and ceramics, providing funding support for a ceramics tutor, the Artists-in-Residence program […]

Global celebrates balmy aperitivo night in Melbourne with Leading Hotels of the World
Global International Travel partnered with Leading Hotels of the World to welcome clients to a season opening “Inizio di Stagione Aperitivo”, a cocktail evening designed to evoke the charm of a Roman rooftop at its Melbourne HQ. Dedicated to celebrating Global’s esteemed clientele, the evening showcased the privileges offered through its VITA Partnership with Leading […]

FlyPelican launches direct morning flights between Newcastle and the Gold Coast
A welcome flight path for those in Newcastle looking for a quick getaway.

TripAdvisor fires 150 staff and contractors
We imagine this wasn't the most pleasant meeting to be part of.

First look at the new Crowne Plaza Sydney Macquarie Park
If you've ever been to Macquarie Park you will know that this will be an oasis in a busy business precinct.

Outback Queensland presents Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail – The Diamantina
Adventure seekers can set their sights on Outback Queensland with the month-long Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail – The Diamantina festival is set for 5 to 26 July. Whether cheering on the camels, dancing under the stunning desert sky, kicking up red dust, or soaking up the rich cameleer history, there’s something for every […]

Sydney’s Bathers’ Pavilion set for another sell-out season of Michelin-starred British restaurant, L’Enclume
Start saving your pennies people, because these mini mouthfuls will set you back a bit.

Intrepid to boost revenue by $100m with its largest acquisition yet
Intrepid may be 35, but you get the feeling the company is just getting started in terms of growth.

Club Med launches new brand campaign across Australia
J’aimerais que tu sois là is what we would say given the opportunity of a Club Med stay.

CTM welcomes Colombia’s Trafalgar Tours to it global network
Looking for a conferencing location that offers something a bit different, then look no further.

Nemi Hotel opens in the centre of Milan
Time to dust off your Italian and head off to hotel Nemi!

Quark Expeditions announces polar expedition with Paul Goldstein
The pictures may be lovely to look at once you get back, but the smell, well, that will linger forever.

Plans for new $40 million eco-lodge on Queensland’s abandoned Hook Island
We are not so sure about building in cyclone zones, it tends to mess with our hair, among other things.