Australia’s Qantas to cut 6,000 jobs as coronavirus hits aviation sector

Qantas Airways, which is celebrating its centenary this year, said it will raise US$1.3 billion in equity and embark on a three-year cost-cutting programme

It will ground 100 planes for up to a year, including its Airbus A380s, while it has immediately retired its remaining Boeing 747s

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Qantas Airways planes are seen grounded at Brisbane Airport. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced the Australian airline to cancel nearly all its international flights until at least October and slash domestic routes. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 12:45pm, 25 Jun 2020Updated: 9:48pm, 25 Jun 2020

Australia’s Qantas is cutting 6,000 staff and grounding 100 planes for up to a year in a US$10 billion cost-cutting blitz in response to the Covid-19 crisis, the airline announced on Thursday.

CEO Alan Joyce said the three-year plan to save Australia’s flag carrier from “the biggest crisis our industry has ever faced” would also see more than half the company’s remaining 23,000 staff remain on leave for months.

“We’ve never experienced anything like this before, no one has. We’re facing a sudden reversal of fortune that is no one’s fault. That is very hard to accept,” he said.

“This year was supposed to be one of celebration for Qantas. It’s our centenary,” Joyce said. “Clearly, it is not turning out as planned.”

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce speaks during a press conference in Sydney on June 25, after announcing significant job cuts and cost cutting measures. Photo: DPA

The coronavirus pandemic had already forced Qantas to cancel nearly all its international flights until at least October and slash domestic routes.

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Australia’s Qantas to cut 6,000 jobs as coronavirus hits aviation sector

Qantas Airways, which is celebrating its centenary this year, said it will raise US$1.3 billion in equity and embark on a three-year cost-cutting programme It will ground 100 planes for up to a year, including its Airbus A380s, while it has immediately retired its remaining Boeing 747s

Qantas Airways, which is celebrating its centenary this year, said it will raise US$1.3 billion in equity and embark on a three-year cost-cutting programme

It will ground 100 planes for up to a year, including its Airbus A380s, while it has immediately retired its remaining Boeing 747s