Qantas has outlined the customer and employee impact of a huge drop in travel demand triggered by the public health response to the Coronavirus crisis. Two-thirds of employees in Qantas Group will be temporarily stood down. The decision has been taken to preserve as many jobs as possible longer term.
This development comes after cuts to 90 per cent of international flying and about 60 per cent of domestic flying were announced by Qantas and Jetstar.
With the Federal Government now recommending against all overseas travel from Australia, regularly scheduled international flights will continue until late March to assist with repatriation and will then be suspended until at least the end of May 2020.
150 plus aircraft will be temporarily grounded
More than 150 aircraft will be temporarily grounded, including all of Qantas’ A380s, 747s and B787-9s and Jetstar’s B787-8s. Discussions are progressing with airports and government about parking for these aircraft.
Essential domestic, regional and freight connections will be maintained as much as possible.
Qantas’ fleet of freighters will continue to be fully utilised. Some domestic passenger aircraft will also be used for freight-only flights to replace lost capacity from regularly scheduled services.
Importantly, Qantas has stressed that there is no impact on Qantas Loyalty’s operations as a result of today’s announcement.
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