Dozens of Qantas pilots are set to lose their jobs as the airlines retires its fleet of 767 and 747 planes under cost cutting measures.
Pilots are negotiating with Qantas to ensure that a "fair and reasonable" program of voluntary redundancies takes place.
The number of redundancies will be fewer than 100.
Chief pilot Dick Tobiano has told captains and first officers that the airline has a surplus of pilots due to the retirements of its fleet of 767 and 747 planes.
Mr Tobiano cited the airline's financial challenges for the changes.
"I want to emphasise that this decision to commence discussions on voluntary redundancy has been made as a result of the challenges we face, and in no way reflects on the contribution you make as pilots," he said in a memo to pilots.
The airline is cutting 5,000 full time jobs over three years as part of $2 billion in cost savings.
The Australian and International Pilots Association is negotiating the redundancy process with the airline.
"Obviously from AIPA's perspective it is far better to see fleet reductions managed with older pilots stepping out on their own terms, rather than younger pilots being made redundant compulsorily," president Nathan Safe said.
Qantas shares gained 3.5 cents to $1.265 on Wednesday.
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