Qantas pilots closer to industrial action
Qantas pilots have moved a step nearer to taking industrial action in their bid to keep jobs in Australia.
The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) has filed for a ballot of its members to take protected action.
The association has lodged a claim with Fair Work Australia, saying it wants to prevent outsourcing and off-shoring of pilots’ jobs.
If the association’s members vote in favour of industrial action – the first time this has happened since 1966 – industrial action could include work stoppages of up to two days.
Speaking in Sydney, AIPA president Barry Jackson said, “While our international competition flourishes, Qantas has been left to wither on the vine, while management eyes low-cost expansion in Asia.
“Qantas is now left with an ageing fleet, a limited route network, and costs which have been cut to the point where it is affecting the product delivered.”
Jackson said it is “with sadness that we have reached this point”.
“We do so now because we are concerned not only for the future of Qantas pilots, but for the future of Qantas itself.”
The claim is aimed at heading off moves by the airline to set up overseas subsidiaries to conduct Qantas flying.
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 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Overseas travelers to the United States declined by 2.5% in 2025