LATEST | Qantas hopes to recommence domestic and international flights "as early as Monday afternoon" following an order by Fair Work Australia for unions to end their series of crippling Qantas strikes.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce welcomed the FWA ruling as one which "provides certainty for Qantas passengers".
"We will be getting our aircraft back up in the air as soon as possible. It could be as early as Monday afternoon on a limited schedule."
The FWA verdict gives Qantas and the three unions 21 days to settle their dispute and reach a binding agreement – failing that, the FWA will force a compulsory arbitration.
PREVIOUS | Qantas has cancelled every single worldwide Qantas-operated flight immediately, until Monday October 31, as it raises the stakes in its ongoing battle with unions to an unprecedented level.
All Qantas flights, from domestic Australian services to international flights, are now grounded.
The airline has locked out all the unionised workforce taking industrial action: pilots, engineers, baggage handlers, ground staff and catering staff -- which in effect means that Qantas simply can't fly.
The airline advises that "customers booked on Qantas flights should not go to the airport until further notice".
In a press conference today at Qantas' Sydney headquarters, CEO Alan Joyce announced that there will be "no further Qantas domestic departures or international departures anywhere in the world".
Read Alan Joyce's statement in full, and see what Qantas will cover in terms of compensation for stranded passengers.
"Jetstar flights, QantasLink flights and Qantas flights across the Tasman operated by Jetconnect will continue," an airline statement said.
Qantas is requesting that only passengers booked for travek within the next 24 hours call its contact centres (13 13 13 from within Australia).
"A full refund will be available to any customer who chooses to cancel their flight because it has been directly affected by the grounding of the fleet" the airline says. "Full rebooking flexibility will be available to customers who wish to defer their travel."
"Assistance with accommodation and alternative flights, as well as other support, will be offered to customers who are mid-journey."
Competitor Virgin Australia is offering special "Stranded Passenger" fares to Qantas passengers stuck away from home.
Source: Australian Business Traveller
0 comments:
Post a Comment