Pilots call for judicial enquiry into Qantas grounding
The Australian and International Pilots Association is calling for a full judicial inquiry into the circumstances of the Qantas grounding last month, following revelations on ABC’s Lateline programme that couriers were booked to deliver lockout notices prior to the Qantas annual meeting.
Qantas announced the decision to ground its entire fleet on October 29 – a day after the AGM – in preparation for a total staff lockout on November 1.
Two couriers claimed on Lateline that on October 27, the day before the annual meeting, they were asked to work on Sunday, October 30, to help with a mass delivery of lockout notices to about 6000 Qantas staff members.
AIPA said the ABC reports are consistent with advice received by AIPA that some 3000 hotel rooms were booked in LA ahead of the AGM, seemingly in preparation for the grounding.
The pilots say the revelations directly contradict evidence given under oath to a Senate inquiry by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.
AIPA vice president Richard Woodward said that a full judicial inquiry was now needed to get to the truth of the matter.
“In light of this report there are now grave questions over Alan Joyce credibility,†Captain Woodward said.
“If these allegations, aired on ABC, are correct, Mr Joyce has lied to the Australian people, and he has lied under oath to a Senate Inquiry.â€
Responding to the allegations, via AAP, Joyce has dismissed the pilots’ claims as “conspiracy theoriesâ€, saying the decision was made at the airline’s board meeting on Saturday, October 29.
The collapse of talks between Qantas and unions representing pilots, ground workers and engineers yesterday triggered arbitration by Fair Work Australia – a process likely to drag on for months.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025