Qantas Cuts 850 Corporate Jobs to Integrate AI

Qantas will eliminate more than 850 corporate jobs over the next few years as part of a major operational overhaul. The airline is partnering with technology consulting firm Accenture to redesign its processes, platforms, and data, integrating automation and AI to increase innovation. These cuts will primarily affect staff in finance, procurement, human resources, and marketing, with the first wave of changes expected by mid-2027.

Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson stated the move responds to global technological shifts and AI. While the company intends to redeploy and retrain staff, reports indicate some work is being outsourced to India. This restructuring coincides with a $1 billion annual technology investment and comes as the airline faces rising fuel costs, which have led to increased fares and reduced domestic flight capacity.

The Australian Services Union criticized the decision, noting that Qantas previously claimed it had no plans to offshore Australian jobs. Assistant National Secretary Scott Cowen warned that offshoring would constitute a deep breach of trust with the Australian public.