Qantas Airlines leads Australian air travel to chaos

Nearly
70,000 passengers stranded at more than 20 countries airports due to the cancellation of flights in and out of Australia, after the company’s decision to exclude employees from the company’s premises in response to the strike struggle protests.

In addition, more than 11000 passengers are expected to be hassled next week due to delayed or cancelled flights of Qantas Airlines while the pilots have announced their upcoming 48-hour strike.

The continuous conflict between the Airline and the Australian Pilots Association causes incredible problems in domestic and international flights. The Pilots Association demands 15 per cent pay rise and a job security clause that stipulates Qantas-coded flights.

Maintenance Engineers and pilots also protest against the company’s restructuring plan  to raise its international activities in the Asia-Pacific. Last year operating losses at Qantas International exceeded $200m.

Qantas is not willing to pay the rise requested by the Association, alleging that their demands are excessive and unsustainable.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard urged an end to the dispute that grounded the airline’s entire fleet. “We took this action because we were concerned about the damage to the economy,” Gillard told reporters in Perth.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce estimated the strike would cost the company $20 million a day with 447 flights cancelled.

The controversy began last August when Qantas announced restructuring plan after losses of $ 200 million mainly on international flights. The unions rallied in front of potential job losses leading to escalate the situation until the lockout Saturday. However, although the pilots continue negotiations, all other employees in the company continue to abstain.