US Travel Sector May Face Disruptions from Australia as Qantas New Engineering Strike Could Affect Flights from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Vancouver, and More

Monday, September 30, 2024

Travellers flying to Australia from major cities such as Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Honolulu, and Santiago may face significant delays due to the ongoing Qantas engineers’ strike. The industrial action, sparked by an unresolved wage dispute, could potentially disrupt international flights.

With over a thousand Qantas engineers planning to walk off the job on Monday morning during peak travel hours, airports across Australia may experience disruptions that could affect flights arriving from these key international hubs. Stoppages are scheduled between 7am and 9am in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, which may cause delays or rescheduling of incoming flights from North and South America.

Passengers flying out of Los Angeles and Dallas—two of Qantas’ busiest U.S. routes—should prepare for possible setbacks, as the strike could coincide with high-demand holiday travel periods. Similarly, travellers from New York and San Francisco might see their flight schedules disrupted, leading to potential delays upon arrival in Australia.

Vancouver and Honolulu passengers should also be on alert for potential interruptions, as the engineers’ strike could delay maintenance and ground operations at Australian airports. Meanwhile, those flying from Santiago, a key Latin American route for Qantas, should also anticipate the possibility of disruptions, with long-haul flights potentially impacted by delayed turnarounds and maintenance backlogs.

The Qantas Engineers’ Alliance, representing workers from the AMWU, AWU, and ETU unions, is advocating for a 5% annual wage increase and a 15% first-year payment to compensate for a three-and-a-half-year wage freeze. With negotiations between the union and Qantas management stalled, the strike could have far-reaching consequences for international travellers.

As the strike continues, passengers from these major international cities are encouraged to stay updated on flight changes and be prepared for possible delays.

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