Qantas stand two-thirds of staff

Qantas will ground all its international flights and temporarily stand down two-thirds of its 30,000 staff until the end of May.

The cutbacks, announced this morning, come as Australia's biggest airline reels from a massive downturn in travel due to coronavirus.

Qantas international flights will be suspended from the end of March until May and domestic services will be cut by 60 per cent.

20,000 Qantas and Jetstar staff will be stood down during that time. Qantas said in a statement they aim is to “preserve as many jobs as possible longer term”.

Staff will be able to use annual and long service leave but some staff will have to endure leave without pay.