Qantas abandoning the bush, union says

23 May 2012, 7:12 pm   -   Source: AAP
Qantas says the cuts to its Northern Territory services will see flights between Uluru and Cairns reduced from 14 to seven a week. (AAP)

Qantas says the cuts to its Northern Territory services will see flights between Uluru and Cairns reduced from 14 to seven a week. (AAP)

The Transport Workers Union says a decision to slash Northern Territory flights shows Qantas is targeting regional Australia as it tries to cut costs.

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Qantas is abandoning regional Australia by slashing flights across the country's north, the Transport workers union (TWU) claims.

Qantas on Wednesday said it would reduce the number of flights it operated in the Northern Territory because of a slump in overseas visitor numbers to the area.

TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said the move showed Qantas was targeting regional Australia in what he described as a "triple whammy of cuts announced by the airline this week".

Qantas on Monday revealed it would shed 350 workers at its Tullamarine and Avalon facilities in Victoria. On Tuesday, the airline announced it would split its international and domestic arms into separate businesses from July.

"We've seen Qantas now announce a triple whammy this week," Mr Sheldon told reporters in Sydney.

"Regional Australia is being abandoned by Qantas with a substantial reduction to services to Uluru, Darwin and other ports of call.

"Every person in regional Australia should now be aware that Qantas has said `You are a target'."

Qantas says the cuts to its Northern Territory services will see flights between Uluru and Cairns reduced from 14 to seven a week.

The number of weekly services between Uluru and Perth will drop from four per week to two in September, before the route is suspended from October 28.

Jetstar, Qantas' low cost carrier, will cut its Darwin to Denpasar, Indonesia, service to eight a week from 11 currently.

It says customers with confirmed tickets on affected flights would be provided with alternate travel options.

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