Business · Sri Lanka Bureau
Qantas to outsource 850 jobs to India as airline accelerates AI push
Australian carrier Qantas will relocate approximately 850 corporate positions to India through a partnership with consulting firm Accenture, marking a significant shift in the airline's operational strategy as it prioritises artificial intelligence investments.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Qantas announced the major restructuring in an internal communication to staff on Tuesday, with Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson acknowledging the difficult nature of the decision. The airline said most of the affected corporate roles would be transferred to India as part of a broader engagement with global consulting firm Accenture, which will manage the outsourced functions.
The move represents part of Qantas's accelerated investment in artificial intelligence and automation technologies. Hudson described the transition as challenging for employees facing uncertainty, while framing it as necessary for the airline's future competitiveness and operational efficiency.
The outsourcing initiative affects corporate and back-office positions rather than customer-facing or operational aviation roles. Accenture will assume responsibility for managing these functions, with most work to be carried out from India, where labour costs are significantly lower than Australia.
The decision reflects broader industry trends among major corporations to consolidate operations and reduce overhead costs through offshore outsourcing arrangements. The restructuring is expected to impact various departments within the airline's corporate structure, though specific details regarding transition timelines and employee support measures remain to be disclosed.