Qantas to cut 850 jobs in AI and India shift

Qantas said Tuesday it will cut around 850 jobs as it moves some corporate functions to India and expands its use of artificial intelligence.

Australia's largest airline said it had signed a deal with Accenture to overhaul back-end systems. It said an unspecified number of roles would be taken over by teams in India.

Chief executive Vanessa Hudson said the decision was “difficult news” for affected staff and was not a reflection of their contribution. The cuts are due to begin in the middle of 2027.

Hudson said artificial intelligence was set to reshape the airline industry, adding that “standing still is not an option”.

Qantas also said it was preparing for the largest fleet renewal in its history. The group added 17 aircraft in the past financial year and expected up to 31 more in the year ahead, according to results released earlier this year. That investment would allow it to start retiring its double-decker A380 fleet from 2028.