Qantas and Jetstar to stand down 2,500 staff for an estimated two months.
COVID restrictions in Sydney and the knock-on effects of border closures in all other states and territories will see about 2,500 Qantas and Jetstar front line staff stood down.
The company said the decision would directly impact domestic pilots, cabin crew and airport workers, mostly in NSW but also in other states. Employees have been given two weeks’ notice before the stand down takes effect, with pay continuing until mid-August.
“Income support in the form of government disaster payments will be key to helping eligible employees get through this challenging period,” said QF Group CEO Alan Joyce.
“This is clearly the last thing we want to do, but we’re now faced with an extended period of reduced flying and that means no work for a number of our people,” he said.
Joyce said Qantas had seen its domestic flying reduce from almost 100% of normal levels in May to less than 40% last month because of the lockdowns.
The stand-downs come less than a day after Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce announced additional assistance for airlines, estimated to be worth about $100 million.
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