On Air Highlights

Flying Kangaroo in the air again, following orders to end industrial actions

31 October 2011

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Flights for the Australian airline Qantas resumed on Monday, more than 48 hours after the shock decision by the airline’s CEO Alan Joyce, to ground all flights over the weekend.

The tactic prompted the Australian Federal Government to step in, referring the matter to Fair Work Australia, which ordered an end to all industrial actions, and for Qantas management and unions to negotiate an end to their dispute within 21 days.

But as the drama unfolded — questions began to be raised about when Qantas management informed the Federal Government of its plans to lock out its workers. On Monday the Government said it was not informed of the plan to ground all flights until after Qantas management had made its decision.

The airline is expected to be fully operation by Wednesday, but airline watchers say Qantas has already done serious damage to its brand.

Presenter: Anna Hipsley

Speaker: Geoffrey Thomas, aviation writer for the West Australian newspaper