Virgin Australia Cuts Flights Amid Cabin Crew Dispute
The airline says September demand and school holidays are adding pressure to its operation.
Virgin Australia has cancelled some services and reduced its schedule after cabin crew shortages affected flights, according to reports. As many as 30 flights were called off last weekend. Some crew members reportedly took sick leave, while others declined work on scheduled days off. The disruption comes as Virgin Australia negotiates a new workplace agreement with the Flight Attendant Association of Australia and the Transport Workers Union of Australia.
The unions are seeking higher pay and changes intended to improve working conditions, including shorter duty periods and more rest between shifts. Cabin crew are also handling aircraft cleaning between flights, a task union representatives say has added to increasingly long working days. Virgin Australia disputes the idea that the cancellations are tied to the negotiations, pointing instead to September’s heavy travel demand, spring school holidays and extra services for the AFL and NRL finals. The airline says it has added aircraft and crew during the busy period and that talks with both unions are continuing.
- Up to 30 flights were cancelled last weekend.
- Two unions represent Virgin Australia cabin crew.
- The proposed agreement includes shorter duty periods.
- September is busy outside the Christmas travel season.
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