Photo : webshot.

August 3,2021

Anna Murray 

Despite receiving nearly $2 billion in government assistance, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced on August 3 that the various schemes meant that the 2,500 Qantas employees in domestic operations and 6,000 in international operations would receive varying levels of support from either COVID disaster payments or the new scheme.

Australia's federal executive government, led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, announced another airline assistance program earlier on August 2 as lockdowns and border closures continue to disrupt the industry. The Morrison government announced a $100 million program to help domestic airlines retain employees during lockdowns and border closures, and the Coalition will continue to offer half-price flights in an effort to boost tourism.

The situation is the worst in Sydney. Despite the fact that it has been under lockdown since June 26, it is seeing approximately 200 new infections per day. Almost every state has made it illegal for visitors to visit Australia's largest city. According to Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, the latest Delta outbreaks resulted in thousands of flight cancellations, causing Qantas and its budget carrier, Jetstar, to lose approximately 60% of their domestic business from May to July.

Due to domestic coronavirus border closures, approximately 2,500 Qantas and Jetstar employees will be laid off for two months, a move that unions have criticized for coming just one day after the government announced a wage support package. Domestic Qantas and Jetstar pilots, cabin crew, and airport workers will be stood down, primarily in New South Wales, but will not be laid off. The CEO of Qantas, Alan Joyce, predicts that borders will remain closed for at least two months due to the negative effects of greater Sydney's ongoing COVID-19 crisis and lockdown. Employees who are laid off, on the other hand, will be given two weeks' notice and will be paid until mid-August.