Qantas to outsource 850 local jobs to India as CEO apologises for job cuts amid AI investment push
Qantas will outsource 850 corporate jobs to Accenture, with most moving to India, as they accelerate AI investment.
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson apologised to staff for the uncertainty the move brings.
Job cuts starting mid-2027 will affect finance, procurement, people, and marketing roles.
These roles will shift primarily to India, with some remaining in Australia as Qantas seeks to modernise IT systems.
Staff impact
Hudson noted the unprecedented scale and speed of technological and AI changes.
Recently, the airline announced plans for fare increases and flight reductions due to rising fuel costs.
The deal with Accenture aims to modernise IT systems for greater efficiency.
Qantas spends over AU$1bn annually on technology, needing back-end upgrades.
Like many airlines, Qantas operates on legacy technology unsuited for current requirements.
The partnership will redesign processes, reduce duplication, and streamline corporate functions.
This allows staff to focus more on work that adds value for customers and the business.
Eventually, Accenture’s work will further transform through automation and AI.
Staff affected will be redeployed to new roles in Australia when possible.
Qantas employs about 28,000 staff in Australia and 4,000 globally, with many already using AI in daily tasks.
