Qantas' bombshell plan to send 1,000 Australian jobs to India in major cost-cutting blitz

Published: 03:53, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 03:59, 4 August 2026 Qantas is reportedly in talks to outsource 1,000 jobs to India. The move is part of a major plan to cut costs and overhaul operations using artificial intelligence. The plan would involve outsourcing parts of the airline's marketing, finance, human resources and other back-office functions under a project known as Project IQ, the AFR reports.  Qantas admitted it was in 'early stage discussions' over the plan.  'Like all organisations, Qantas has been looking at ways to accelerate the use of technology and AI to help us modernise the way we work and deliver better outcomes for our customers and our people,' a Qantas spokesperson said. 'We have been exploring partnerships that have the capability to support us… but no formal agreement is in place and no decisions have been made.' Qantas said it remained committed to providing employment opportunities in Australia.  The airline claimed it had already added 'thousands of operational roles' domestically and would continue adding thousands more 'in the coming years'.  Qantas is reportedly in talks to outsource 1,000 jobs to India