Qantas to cut 850 jobs and move some work to India as it expands AI use
Qantas said on Tuesday it will cut about 850 jobs, with some corporate functions shifting to India. The airline is speeding up its use of artificial intelligence and has signed a deal with Accenture.
For information only, not investment advice. Prices change quickly: check the time and source of every figure.
- Qantas will cut around 850 jobs from the middle of 2027.
- Some roles will be taken over by teams in India; the number was not specified.
- The airline signed a deal with consulting firm Accenture to overhaul back-end systems.
Australian airline Qantas said on Tuesday that it will cut 850 jobs as it shifts some corporate functions to India and accelerates its use of artificial intelligence.
According to Gulf News, the job cuts are due to begin in the middle of 2027. Some of the affected roles will be taken over by teams in India, though the number of such roles was not specified.
Qantas has also signed a deal with the consulting firm Accenture to overhaul its back-end systems, the report said.
Chief executive Vanessa Hudson acknowledged the impact on staff. "We know this will be difficult news for some of our people and this decision is not a reflection of their contribution or commitment," she said.
Hudson also pointed to the pace of technological change. "The scale and speed of change in this space is unprecedented and unlike anything businesses have seen in generations," she said.
She added: "Leading organisations around the world are well progressed in using technology and AI to completely transform how they work, and standing still is not an option for us."
The announcement comes as the airline invests heavily in its fleet. Qantas Group added 17 new aircraft during the past financial year, and according to financial results released earlier this year it expects up to 31 more in the year ahead.
The company said it is about to embark on its largest fleet renewal in its history. The investment would allow it to begin retiring its double-decker A380 fleet from 2028.
Why it matters for Pakistan
The move shows a large company shifting corporate work to India while adopting AI, a pattern that may interest Pakistanis working in freelancing and IT services. Pakistani freelancers and technology firms often compete for outsourced work, so where such roles are sent can affect demand. The reports do not say whether any of the work will go to Pakistan.
