Pilots on international routes at Qantas have begun a two-day strike over a dispute over pay and conditions – this is its first industrial action in 45 years.
Unauthorised announcements were made on flights on Friday by to hear pilots urging passengers to support their campaign to keep the airline Australian.
"We are proud of our profession and our airline and trust you will support us in keeping Qantas pilots in Qantas aircraft and ensuring our great iconic airline remains uniquely Australian," the message said.
Pilots want a new clause in their contracts to stop the airline from outsourcing pilots to cheaper bases in Asia. However Qantas says the pilots demands would drive up airfares, cost jobs and make Qantas unprofitable. The airline is already struggling to make a profit on its international routes and has earmarked it for restructuring.
Qantas is also in dispute with its engineers in a protracted dispute about wages and conditions.