Qantas to Raise $1.3 Billion and Cut 6,000 Jobs to Survive Virus
- Job reductions represent about 20% of carrier’s workforce
- Scale of overhaul shows how hard pandemic has hit airlines
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Qantas Airways Ltd. will raise as much as A$1.9 billion ($1.3 billion) and cut at least 6,000 jobs as the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep carriers around the world largely grounded.
The Australian airline said Thursday also that 15,000 workers will remain furloughed, particularly those tied to international operations. The carrier’s entire fleet of 12 Airbus A380 superjumbos, which once plied busy long-haul routes to Europe and the U.S., are now useless and will be grounded for at least three years, Qantas said.