Qantas cuts 2500 more jobs as ground handling outsourced

Qantas will outsource ground handling operations in a move that will see 2500 jobs go on top of the 6000 already announced.

A Qantas baggage handler at work. The airline has announced plans to outsource all of its ground handling operations in a move that will see more than 2000 jobs go. Picture: Sam Mooy

Days after posting a $2.7bn annual loss, Qantas has revealed plans to outsource its ground handling operations, a move that will cost 2500 jobs.

Employees at 11 major airports were briefed on the plan on Tuesday. The airline also announced the closure of QantasLink bases in Perth and Cairns, with 160 workers given the option of relocating to Brisbane and Melbourne.

Along with low-fares partner Jetstar, Qantas had already flagged 6000 job losses.

The move to outsource the jobs of baggage handlers, ramp workers, aircraft cleaners and tug and bus drivers will reduce the workforce even further, to just over 20,000 employees.

Qantas Domestic chief executive Andrew David said ground handlers would have the opportunity to make their own pitch for the work, but would have to compete with multinational companies such as Swissport and dnata.

“The COVID crisis has hit all of us … ’’ Mr David said. “In the last quarter we lost $3.6bn, and we’ve already spoken to the fact that in this financial year we’re going to lose $10bn.’’

The affected workers are based at Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, Townsville, Alice Springs, Perth and Darwin Airports, with the largest numbers in Sydney (1000), Melbourne (410) and Brisbane (350).