Qantas Shutdown

[Andi O]

Alan Joyce has just held a press conference announcing the lock out of some Qantas staff and has shutdown the airline effective immediately.

[Sarah C]

Stunned.......Virgin must think Christmas has come early. Ball is now back in the unions court. Government has to become involved now.

[Darren T.]

This will live in History.

[Jarden S]

Wow that's a major change in events.
AJ also said in today's courier mail that the airline could loose 17,000 jobs within a year if the industrial action continues.

[Grant Smith]

A day after his pay rise was approved by the shareholders... Coincidence?

[John Arena]

All employees covered under the Unions have been 'locked out' according to the press conference

John

[Grahame Hutchison]

From Australian Business Traveller ...

Qantas has cancelled every single worldwide Qantas-operated flight immediately, until further notice, with the airline advising that "customers booked on Qantas flights should not go to the airport until further notice".
The airline is locking out all its unionised workforce: pilots, engineers, baggage handlers, ground staff and catering staff -- which means that it simply can't fly.
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".
Aircraft currently in the sky will land as planned.
"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 within the next 24 hours call its contact centres: 13 13 13 from within Australia.
The airline says: "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. 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."

[Carsten Bauer]

I couldn't believe this when I heard on the radio "Qantas cancelling flights" I thought it was the usual news we've been hearing all week, but then I checked my twitter, and saw qantas announce all flights grounded. Thought it was a joke at first.

[Andrew M]

Disgusting Alan
Disgusting

[Joe Frampton]

I work in the travel industry... (major gulp for the work ahead in the next few days).....

You have to say, this is truly historical, Qantas will either come out of this as the winner, with the unions crushed, or it's game over for Qantas as we know it in it's current form.... either way if you're travelling or planning to travel on Qantas in the immediate future, you're well and truly ****ed

and who thought it could only happen to Tiger