Qantas executives are being asked to volunteer for crucial roles such as baggage handling as the airline tries to tackle the chaos that is gripping many of its competitors around the world.
Under the scheme, first reported by the Australian newspaper, up to 200 executive and clerical staff would sort and scan bags, and also drive tugs – the vehicles that tow luggage between terminals and airplanes.
The redeployments would be up to five days a week for three months, according to a memo to staff from chief operating officer Colin Hughes.
The memo, cited in a report by Australian broadcaster SBS, said the airline is seeking expressions of interest in the program.
“People who meet the EOI will be trained and enrolled in the ramp environment at Sydney and Melbourne airports,” he said.
“These people will support our ground handling partners, who run the Qantas operation, over a three-month period from mid-August.”
A Qantas spokesperson told 9news.com.au: “We have made it clear that our operational performance did not meet our customers’ expectations or the standards we expect of ourselves – and we have put all works to improve our performance.
“As we have done in the past during peak periods, approximately 200 head office employees have been assisting at airports during peak periods since Easter.
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“As we manage the impacts of a record flu season and ongoing COVID cases associated with the tightest labor market in decades, we are continuing this contingency planning across all of our airport operations for the next three months. “
Last month, the Australian carrier fell into the top five of the world’s best airlines ranking.
Like many of its competitors, it has been rocked by a wave of customer anger after flight cancellations, long check-in queues, mishandled luggage and long waits to contact call centers.
The airline has received nearly $2bn (£1.15bn) in government support during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has also laid off 1,700 baggage handlers and outsourced the service to contractors.
The move was ruled illegal by the Australian Federal Court but, faced with a large compensation bill, Qantas said it would contest this.
