At least 6000 jobs will go at Qantas as part of the airline’s long-term response to the coronavirus pandemic. Another 15,000 employees will remain stood down from duties, until more normal flying patterns resume.

About 100 aircraft are expected to remain grounded for up to a year, and six Boeing 747s will be retired ahead of schedule.

Aviation editor at The West Australian newspaper Geoffrey Thomas told Gareth Parker these cuts “rip into the heart of the airline.”

“Whether it’s their pilots, their engineers, their cabin crew, it’s an incredible organisation that all Australians are incredibility proud of. Now we see the first stage of it being torn to pieces because of COVID-19.”

Mr Thomas also said it’s “really troubling” that other overseas governments are propping up their airline industries and predicts the Australian industry would require $7-8 billion from the government.

“So far they’ve done virtually nothing for Qantas for Virgin Australia.”

Flight Attendants Association of Australia secretary Teri O’Toole joined Mornings where she added their members are shocked by today’s announcement.

“I don’t know that anyone expected it to be such a brutal cut.”

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