Qantas Airways Plans to Cut 850 Jobs, Shift Roles to India
Qantas Airways announces a major restructuring, cutting 850 jobs and relocating many to India as part of a tech partnership with Accenture.
New Delhi, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : Qantas Airways has announced plans to eliminate approximately 850 jobs as part of a new technology partnership with consulting firm Accenture. Most of these positions are expected to be relocated to India, according to reports. The restructuring will begin in mid-2027 and will impact employees in finance, procurement, human resources, and marketing departments.
The airline aims to modernize its outdated systems and increase the use of artificial intelligence in its operations. This announcement comes at a time when aerospace manufacturers and airlines are adjusting their operations to improve efficiency.
In related news, Boeing revealed on Monday that it would slow down its commercial airplane production plans, resulting in a workforce reduction of about 5%. The company stated that this decision will allow factories and suppliers more time to stabilize production.
Qantas has signed a multi-year agreement with Accenture to modernize its back-end systems, business processes, and data infrastructure as part of a broader technology transformation initiative. In a message to employees, CEO Vanessa Hudson noted that the airline spends over AUD 1 billion annually on technology but still relies on more than 1,000 outdated applications from decades past.
Hudson explained that these systems were not designed to work together, making maintenance increasingly complex. Most of the affected roles are likely to be transferred to Accenture teams in India, although some work will remain in Australia.
Before implementing these changes, Qantas plans to engage with its employees and unions. The airline will also seek to re-employ affected workers in other roles. In an internal email, Hudson acknowledged the difficulty of the news and expressed regret over the uncertainty it creates for employees.
According to Hudson, the work managed by Accenture will gradually undergo automation and the integration of artificial intelligence, aimed at reducing redundancy and enhancing overall corporate efficiency. She emphasized that the pace of technological change and AI adoption is unprecedented, and Qantas must adapt to remain competitive.
