Qantas to cut 850 corporate jobs and outsource work to India

Qantas plans to cut around 850 jobs, with the first round expected by mid-2027, as it moves to modernise its technology and adopt artificial intelligence. According to AeroTime, staff were told in an internal memo on 10 November 2026 that some roles currently performed at the airline's Mascot headquarters near Sydney will be outsourced to India.

What Qantas has announced

The programme will be delivered with the consulting firm Accenture under a multi-year partnership. Travel Daily Media reports that the cuts will take place over several years, with the first round affecting employees in finance, procurement, human resources and marketing. Chief executive Vanessa Hudson is quoted as saying the cuts would begin by mid-2027.

Both outlets say some work will move to Accenture teams, which Travel Daily Media says are primarily based in India. Qantas has not, according to AeroTime, fully determined which specific jobs will be affected, and it has said it will try to reassign staff to other roles within the airline.

Why the airline says it is doing this

AeroTime reports that Qantas wants to simplify a technology environment of around 1,000 legacy IT applications and software systems, many of which are poorly integrated and costly and complex to run. The airline also wants its digital infrastructure ready for the AI era, with AI-driven systems used across many functions. It said the large-scale roll-out of AI will change how work is organised for those who remain.

Hudson pointed to competition for specialist skills. As Travel Daily Media quotes her: "Through a partner we can access the data and AI skills that every industry in the world is competing for, because we cannot hire at the pace this work needs."

Wider context

Travel Daily Media suggests the move could signal a broader shift across the airline sector, as carriers reassess staffing, outsourcing and technology investment. That is the outlet's interpretation rather than a stated plan by other airlines. AeroTime also notes that Qantas recently opened a Product Innovation Centre in Adelaide, which it says is creating 400 tech jobs.

What this means for travellers

The affected roles are corporate functions rather than airport, cabin or flight-deck positions, and neither source describes any immediate change to flights, fares, check-in or customer service. Any effect on service is therefore not yet known. Since the first cuts are not expected until mid-2027, travellers should not expect near-term changes from this announcement. Frequent flyers may wish to watch for upgrades to Qantas's digital systems as the legacy IT replacement progresses, though the sources give no timetable or specific customer-facing changes.

Sources: AeroTime; Travel Daily Media.