Qantas has blamed COVID-19 for its decision to reject a last-minute attempt to save 2000 ground-handling jobs and instead outsource the work to several companies, including international operators Menzies and Swissport.

Qantas's domestic and international boss, Andrew David, said the financial stress of the global pandemic had forced the airline to axe the jobs. "In normal times we wouldn't consider making decisions like this," Mr David said.