AUSTRALIA’S major international air carrier has announced plans to cut at least 1000 jobs across the next 12 months.
Qantas issued a statement last Thursday which said they were expecting an underlying loss before tax in the range of $250 to $300 million, for the six months ending on 31 December this year.
The announcement comes after Qantas last year committed to sacking 400 workers from Tullamarine and hundreds more at Avalon.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said he and the board would also face a pay cut and no 2014 financial year bonus.
“The outlook for the second half of FY14 remains volatile and, given the uncertainty in global economic conditions, fuel prices and foreign exchange rates, it is not possible to provide further guidance at this time,” a Qantas statement aid.
“We will do whatever we need to do to secure the Qantas Group’s future,” Mr Joyce said.
“The challenges we now face are immense – but we will overcome them and we will continue to build a stronger and better Qantas for Australia.
“Our competitors in the international market, almost all owned or generously supported by their governments, have increased capacity to pursue Australian dollar profits, changing the shape of the market permanently.”
Mr Joyce said government help, if offered, could enable the airline “to keep competing effectively on a level playing field”.
