[Chris Tully]

QANTAS passengers can expect delays this month following the breakdown of wage negotiations with maintenance engineers who have promised to take industrial action.

Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon said the airline would not increase its offer after the engineers' union informed him of its planned industrial action.

He said the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) will commence overtime bans from May 15 and will hold four-hour, stop-work meetings on May 16 and May 23.

The ALAEA is pushing for a new enterprise agreement that includes pay rises of five per cent a year rather than the airline's standard pay offer.

"Qantas has made it very clear,'' Mr Dixon said.

"We will not break our wages policy of three per cent annual pay increases and a one per cent additional superannuation contribution, as we reinvest our profits in aircraft purchase to continue to grow Qantas in difficult times.''

He said the union is in the wrong and passengers may suffer for it.

"This action is unjustified and we plan to ensure all customers reach their destination on these days,'' Mr Dixon said.

"We will be expecting some delays during the two Friday afternoons.''

AAP

A real shame.