Hundreds of Qantas heavy maintenance works to lose jobs

Qantas has confirmed hundreds of workers will be cut from the airline’s heavy maintenance bases, with its Avalon, Tullamarine and Brisbane plants likely to be affected.

Job cut plans are still being formulated according to a Qantas media team spokesperson this morning.

A final decision on the numbers and which plants will be affected will be made over the next two weeks.

“We are continuing to assess various options and expect to make a decision by mid-May,” a Qantas spokesperson said.

“The significant reduction of maintenance required on our aircraft means we do not need three separate maintenance bases.”

In a possible pitch for some government money the airline reportedly said the Avalon workshop near Geelong was not viable beyond two years without major state government investment, according to a story in the Herald Sun.

Tullamarine workers may be offered mining industry related jobs in Western Australia during a careers information session, according to the Melbourne tabloid.

“Qantas announced in February a review into our heavy maintenance operations in Australia,” the Qantas spokesperson said.