‘Sad reality’: Qantas

Airline says 6000 jobs to go as Flying Kangaroo records $2bn loss

QANTAS has confirmed 6000 permanent jobs will go as the airline recorded a $1.97bn loss, with its chief calling for clearer guidelines on border closures.

Alan Joyce said the results were “the sad reality” of COVID-19.

“Some carriers are shrinking their workforce by 30 per cent, 40 per cent, and even 50 per cent,’’ he said.

“Some airlines may not survive at all. The Flying Kangaroo wings are clipped for now, but it’s still got plenty of ambition, and we plan to deliver on it. We are, and always will be, the Spirit of Australia.”

Qantas profits plunged 91 per cent in what the premier airline has called “the most challenging period in its long history”.

In its 2020 financial year results released on Thursday, the airline recorded a statutory loss after tax of $1.97bn. Qantas confirmed the loss of at least 6000 permanent jobs because of ongoing financial blows caused by the pandemic.

“For those leaving in the coming months and weeks ahead, I want to thank you sincerely for your service. It’s been heartbreaking for all of us. I’ve seen people I’ve known for 20 years leave the company in the last couple of weeks, people that have served the company for over 40 years, people that for no fault of their position or the company’s position, have to leave this organisation,” Mr Joyce said.

He also called for a “clear set of rules” around domestic border decisions during the coronavirus pandemic.

“At the moment, there are no rules around how borders are going to close and going to open. And it’s very clear that, from a health and safety point of view, that has to be the priority,” he said.

He said while it was reasonable to have international borders closed, as well as the border to Victoria, rules around how and when other states and territories opened up were needed. “We have the situation where there are a large number of states and territories that have had zero cases and they’re not even open to each other,” he said.

Domestic borders are expected to be a hot topic during today’s national cabinet.