Stranded Britons to fly today as court ends Qantas stand-off

The Australian government ordered an arbitration hearing after the carrier grounded all of its aircraft amid a dispute with striking staff, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded worldwide.

Workers have staged strikes and refused to work overtime during a dispute which has lasted several weeks and was sparked by concerns that some of the airline’s 35,000 jobs would be moved overseas.

Last night a Qantas spokesman said 600 flights had been cancelled because of the industrial action – affecting 70,000 passengers. The strikes have cost the airline 15 million Australian dollars (£10m) a week.

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard said her centre-left government had “taken a rare decision” to seek an end to the strike action out of necessity.

She said: “I believe it is warranted in the circumstances we now face with Qantas, circumstances with this industrial dispute that could have implications for our national economy.”

Before the hearing Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the planes could be flying again within hours if the three arbitration judges ruled to permanently terminate the grounding and the unions’ strike action.

The unions had wanted the judges to order a suspension so the strikes can be resumed if their negotiations with the national carrier fail.

However the government decision is likely to be viewed as a major victory for the airline who have been battling unions for weeks.

On Saturday alone around 600 Qantas flights had been cancelled because of the industrial action, affecting 70,000 passengers.

Some of the passengers caught up in the dispute have spoken of their shock at the abrupt action taken by the airline, which came while some were strapped into their seats preparing to fly and others were already in the air.

Firefighter Chris Crulley, 25, from Newcastle, was on a plane taxiing on the runway at Sydney when the pilot told passengers that he had to return to the terminal to “take an important phone call”.

Speaking from Sydney Airport, Mr Crulley said: “We’re all set for the flight and settled in and the next thing – I’m stunned. We’re getting back off the plane.”

Mr Crulley, on his way home after a five-week holiday, added: “I’ve got to get back to the other side of the world by Wednesday for work. It’s a nightmare.”

Qantas offered him up to 350 Australian dollars (£233) a day for food and accommodation.

Four Qantas liveried planes were due to take off from Heathrow Airport on Saturday, leaving hundreds of passengers who were scheduled to depart unable to fly.

The airline had been forced to reduce and reschedule flights for weeks because of a series of strikes over staff concerns that their jobs are being moved overseas.

Flights already in the air when the announcement was made were continuing to their destinations, but all others were cancelled.

The airline has apologised to customers and said anyone booked on Qantas flights should not go to the airport until further notice. It said a full refund would be available for those affected.

A spokesman said: “Qantas regrets that this action has become necessary and apologises sincerely to all affected passengers.”

A spokeswoman for British Airways, which has a joint services agreement with the airline, said on Saturday night: “British Airways-operated flights between the UK and Australia are not expected to be disrupted at this time.

“Customers who are booked to travel on a British Airways service operated by Qantas are urged to check the status of their flight.

“If your travel commences within the next 24 hours please contact our call centres to discuss alternatives.”

British Airways has itself suffered as a result of a dispute with staff. A bitter conflict with cabin crew ended this summer after 18 months of turmoil.