Australia’s Qantas to axe 850 jobs in offshoring deal with Accenture

Qantas, Australia's flag carrier, has announced plans to cut 850 jobs as it partners with consulting firm Accenture to adapt to the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the airline industry. The first phase of the job cuts will impact finance, procurement, human resources, and marketing staff. Some roles will be transferred to Accenture teams, primarily based in India.

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson stated that the job cuts will take place over the next few years, with the first round occurring by mid-2027. The airline emphasized that the decision was driven by the rapid changes in technology and AI, which have never been seen in their lifetime. This move is part of a growing trend among Australian companies, with Woolworths, Officeworks, Telstra, and National Australia Bank also announcing similar offshoring plans this year.