‘Reputation at risk’ if Qantas seeks new staff for long haul

Pilots say Qantas’s reputation will be damaged by any moves to recruit an external workforce to operate Project Sunrise flights.

Qantas pilots preparing for the second Project Sunrise test flight from London to Sydney last November. Picture: Supplied

Pilots have warned Qantas the airline’s reputation would be damaged by any moves to recruit an external workforce to operate ultra-long-range Project Sunrise flights.

In a letter to pilots on Thursday, Qantas International CEO Tino La Spina warned that if agreement could not be reached on a new long-haul pay deal, the airline would create a new employment entity to fly A350-1000 aircraft.

It is understood up to 400 pilots would be needed to operate the new aircraft on routes such as Sydney-London and Brisbane-New York.

The Australian and International Pilots Association vowed to continue negotiating to try to reach an agreement, but president Mark Sedgwick said talk of an external workforce was not acceptable to many members.

“We have warned Qantas that recruitment of an external workforce risks damaging pilot engagement and would potentially damage the airline for many years to come,” Mr Sedgwick said. “Our members have the skills to safely fly ultra-long-range routes and we see no need for the airline to engage another workforce.”

Privately pilots were seething about Mr La Spina’s ultimatum, described as an unwanted distraction.

“We work over Christmas, weekends, all through the night, and now they’re asking us to do a flight that is currently illegal with serious safety questions, and instead they just want to nickel and dime the pilots,” said one pilot who asked to remain anonymous.

“Qantas pilots in cockpits all over the world will be distracted today and over the coming weeks by Tino’s email and the threat to our jobs.”

He said pilots were not asking for huge pay increases, but a rollover of the conditions put in place when the Boeing 747 was introduced to the Qantas fleet.

“It’s hardly unreasonable,” the pilot said.

Independent analysis of the Qantas offer showed the package being proposed for A350 pilots would mean an extra five days of work in each 56-day roster period and 13 per cent less pay than an A380 pilot. “You will be away from home more than ever before. You will be doing it for less money than before,” the analysis said.

The document also made the point that pilots on the new A330/A350 multi-variant flying agreement would “receive no compensation for ULH (ultra-long-haul) flying”.