Jetstar cuts flights into Cairns as action bites

JETSTAR has cut some flights to Cairns from Melbourne and Sydney ahead of any more industrial action by pilots and ground crews.

A Jetstar spokesman said only two routes would be reduced.

“We have reduced some Melbourne-Cairns and Sydney-Cairns flights and we’re moving customers to alternatives services on the same day,” he said.

“For customers whose flights have been moved by more than three hours, we’ve also offered them a refund.

“We’ve already contacted affected customers to let them know about their new flight and thank them for their flexibility.”

In a public letter to customers posted on the company’s website, Jetstar Group chief executive Gareth Evans said 10 per cent of domestic flights would be hit “to absorb industrial action by parts of the workforce and still get people where they are going”.

“We’re basically right-sizing our operation in light of the industrial action. January is Jetstar’s biggest month and the cut in flying (plus the disruption in December) will cost us up to $25 million,” he said.

Workers conducted strikes this month seeking pay increases, minimum hours on the job and safety improvements.

Both the Australian Federation of Airline Pilots and the Transport Workers Union confirmed they will not be taking strike action during the Christmas and New Year travel period.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine has pleaded with Jetstar to come back to the negotiating table.

“Workers (on Thursday) have decided to call off strikes over poverty wages to allow people to travel home for Christmas and be with their families,” he said. “We appeal to Jetstar to offer some similar goodwill to its workforce and to meet their modest wage and safety claims.”

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