Qantas to cut 850 Australian jobs, shift work to India – Will the skies get less friendly?

Qantas announced it will trim 850 Australian jobs and relocate corporate functions to India, tying the move to an AI‑driven overhaul in partnership with Accenture.

The airline says the first wave of changes is expected by mid‑2027, describing the shift as an "unprecedented" response to rapid technological disruption.

Union leaders, who were previously told there was no plan to offshore work, have taken to social media to denounce the decision as a betrayal of local staff.

CEO Vanessa Hudson highlighted the need to keep Qantas competitive as the industry faces "unprecedented" technological change.

Industry observers note the move could reshape how Qantas manages back‑office operations, but the long‑term impact on frontline staff remains to be seen.