9.47 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Qantas to slash at least 500 jobs, profit falls 83%

Published
By AFP

Embattled carrier Qantas said Thursday it will slash at least 500 jobs, cut costs and close two international routes after posting an 83 per cent slump in first-half net profits.

The Australian airline's result in the six months to December came in at Aus$42 million ($US44.8 million), compared to Aus$241m in the previous corresponding period, due to high fuel costs and a fleet grounding in October.

Chief executive Alan Joyce pulled all Qantas planes out of the skies for 48 hours as part of a row with staff over plans to shift the focus of its ailing international arm to Asia.

It cost the carrier dearly, but Joyce said it was the only option.

"The damaging industrial action we faced last year is over, and industrial action on that scale is unlikely for the foreseeable future," he said.

The dispute was ultimately terminated by an order of the country's industrial relations umpire but it cost Qantas Aus$194m in lost revenues and forward bookings.

Jet fuel costs in the first half were also up by Aus$444m.

In a bid to recoup the losses, Joyce said the airline's projected capital expenditure for full-year 2012 would be cut by Aus$200m to Aus$2.3bn and by a further Aus$500m in 2012/13.

The market responded favourably, with Qantas shares up nearly five percent at Aus$1.63 in afternoon trade.

Savings will come from the deferral of new Boeing 787-800s due to manufacturer delays and a reduction in planned domestic growth.

This will see jobs cut, with Qantas also looking to consolidate its engineering and catering services.

"We anticipate there will be 500 positions affected by the immediate changes that we have announced today," Joyce said, but made clear no jobs would be going offshore, a key gripe of unions.

However, he foreshadowed further job losses following the catering and heavy maintenance reviews.

"We can't at this stage pre-empt the reviews that are going to take place but, as I said... we expect there to be further jobs affected," said Joyce.

"It would be premature for me to actually say what we believe the total number will be."

Joyce said the airline hoped to minimise sackings and would focus instead on voluntary redundancies, using annual and long service leave and seconding staff to other airlines.

The Australian Services Union said the cuts were "sacrificing livelihoods and the long-term efficiency of the airline for short-term cost cutting" while the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union called them a "real blow".

The government acknowleged that Qantas faced challenges competing with airlines overseas that have a lower cost base, but warned vital skills could be lost forever if maintenance jobs went.

"You can cut too much and then lose skills that are never coming back," Employment Minister Bill Shorten said.

"And there will be a time when we need skilled engineers."

The airline will also axe unprofitable services from Singapore-Mumbai and Auckland-Los Angeles in May with Joyce saying the airline must "confront the new global realities" and adapt.

"The results I have announced today show the resilience of the Qantas Group and our readiness for the future," he said.

"Overall our business is strong, we are exerting financial discipline, and we are well placed to handle this complex economic and competitive environment."