Qantas to resume flights after tribunal orders end to strike

Monday 31st October 2011

Qantas Airways is set to resume flights today after Australia's workplace relations tribunal ordered that nation's biggest airline to get back to the table with unions to reach a deal to end the strikes.

Fair Work Australia has given the parties 21 days to reach a settlement, which can be extended for a further 21 days if progress is being made. During that time the unions aren’t allowed to strike.

“We will be getting our aircraft back up in the air as soon as we possibly can,” chief executive Alan Joyce said in a statement. “It could be as early as Monday afternoon on a limited schedule with the approval of the regulator.”

Qantas grounded its fleet last week at a cost of A$20 million a day as unions stepped up action after the airline said it would cut 1,000 jobs and reduce routes, while setting up new ventures in Asia.

The shares fell 1.6 percent to A$1.545 in trading on the ASX on Friday, and have shed 39 percent this year.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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