About 2800 full-time jobs are expected to be cut from Qantas as a result of a restructure, the airline revealed today.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce told a business lunch in Sydney the restructure would also result in $300 million in savings each year.
Mr Joyce defended his strategy for the airline, which will result in the job losses.
"What you have seen in media headlines may have left you with the impression that our response to the challenges before Qantas is to retreat, or just cut back," Mr Joyce said.
"That's not the case.
"We are undertaking a wholesale transformation of Qantas to make it better and stronger, the premium Australian airline for our times."
Joyce said the airline is taking its time to form an alliance with a major overseas carrier.
Speculation has been rife in recent months that Qantas was close to sealing a partnership with Dubai-based Emirates as part of its five-year strategy to improve its international operations.
"But we only enter partnerships when we have the right arrangement for the long term," he said.
"In the current economic environment, taking our time with this part of our agenda will clearly not undermine our broader transformation plan."
http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/new*****usiness/aap/8512887/qantas-taking-time-on-alliance