Qantas managers loading aircraft at Sydney Airport amid holiday chaos

The airline has resorted to sending senior managers to help as staff shortages continue to plague the peak holiday period.

Travellers at Melbourne Airport have a long wait due to staffing issues. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

As travellers endure another day of chaos at major airports, Qantas has begun sending senior managers out to help load bags onto aircraft and check in passengers amid growing frustration with the airline.

Qantas confirmed it had resorted to the extreme measure last weekend and again this week, as Covid-related staff shortages drained all areas of operation.

Pilots have also been hit, with an urgent SMS sent out on Tuesday seeking captains and first officers willing to operate international flights to Los Angeles, Johannesburg and London on Wednesday.

One pilot told The Australian that those rostered to fly overseas on Thursday were also being asked to help out on Wednesday.

“Of course that creates problems later in the week as well,” he said.

“We do normally have reserves but there’s a number out with Covid which decreases our reserve capability too.”

A Qantas spokesperson said the airline was dealing with a lot of Covid-related absences among staff, but was pulling out all stops to make sure passengers could get to their destinations.

“The industry is seeing the same challenges, but more severe, around the world, and we’re managing this the best we can,” said the spokesperson.

In the past five days, only six flights had been cancelled due to pilot unavailability, out of 1500 services operated by Qantas.

On Monday, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce conceded absenteeism was at twice the level of reserve staff rostered on for the peak holiday period.

“We’re getting up to 30 per cent of people not turning up because of Covid or close contacts,” Mr Joyce said.

“There are flight delays and again I apologise for them but people are getting to their destination.”

The airline continued to face challenges in other areas, including baggage handling and catering with some passengers waiting over an hour for their luggage and some flights unable to offer guests a meal.

In one instance, meals were loaded onto a flight from Brisbane to Perth but not cutlery causing embarrassment for cabin crew handing out the boxed chilli con carne. Some passengers were even offered the option of wearing latex gloves to eat the hot food, The Australian was told.

The increasing reports of chaos were proving a boon for charter flight operators, who were seeing growing “last minute” demand for services.

Navair general manager and chief pilot Rick Pegus said they were flat out as people weighed up the benefits of chartering a private jet to get to their destination without queues and delays.

“Ticket prices are pretty high at the moment so if it’s the whole family flying they will look at a charter flight,” Mr Pegus said.

“We’re only just keeping up with the demand at the moment and much of it is last minute.”

Mr Pegus said the cost of chartering a four-seater private jet was about $9000 plus GST for a same day return, and $12,000 for a couple of nights away.