Cabin crews concerned airlines not preparing for second wave

Coronavirus lockdown measures have meant disaster for our airlines in Australia. But can the industry bounce back?

In a submission to a federal Senate committee into COVID-19, the Flight Attendants’ Association of Australia has flagged airlines were not providing sufficient personal protective equipment to both employees and passengers.

The association has slammed the initial handling of the pandemic by Qantas and the government, saying responses were “reactive” instead of ensuring aircrafts did not become a virus hot spot.

Read Next

It also noted inconsistencies between Qantas’ self isolation policies for staff and the recommended guidelines implemented by federal and state governments.

“With a second wave of COVID-19 expected the Australian government needs to have greater oversight of PPE in the airline industry, due to the significant exposure of the community while travelling both domestically and in the future internationally,” the group said.

RELATED: 270 new cases in Victoria

Qantas on May 19 obtained a federal government exemption from social distancing rules, launching a domestic “Fly Well” program which is designed to minimise the potential threat of virus transmission.

The FAAA in its submission noted it had repeatedly asked for data and evidence from Qantas which supported the program, instead of complying with social distancing.

According to the report, Qantas chief medical officer Dr Ian Hosegood previously said planes had a low risk of transmission, contradicting concerns by health authorities which had flagged the aviation sector as a key risk area.

The association is also concerned that airlines have been using JobKeeper has a mechanism to reduce wage liabilities relating to overtime payments and previous known underpayments to staff.

It noted JobKeeper payments have been used to fund additional wage entitlements accrued prior to the implementation of the wage subsidy scheme on March 30.

RELATED: 1000 extra troops called in

In its submission, the FAAA said one of its members had been underpaid six months prior to the pandemic and JobKeeper had been used to offset the outstanding wages they were owed.

“JobKeeper should not be used to offset this pay correction,” the FAAA said.

“Taxpayer money should not have been used to fund company payroll errors.”

NCA Newswire understands that the FAAA is expected to give evidence to the COVID-19 Senate committee next week regarding these issues.

Business Reporter

Gerard Cockburn is a business reporter. Prior to joining The Australian, he has worked as a journalist for the Courier Mail and published in The Age.

Read Next