Qantas to Restructure 850 Administrative Jobs and Shift Services to India Under Accenture Partnership

The Australian airline is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to modernize operations and streamline administrative processes, with changes expected to begin by mid-2027.

Australian airline group Qantas has announced plans to restructure approximately 850 administrative positions as part of a multi-year agreement with consulting and technology company Accenture. The partnership aims to modernize operational systems, improve data management, and expand the use of artificial intelligence, while transferring some services to teams primarily based in India.

The initial phase will cover finance, procurement, human resources, and marketing, with changes expected to begin by mid-2027. The positions under review represent approximately 3% of the group's Australian workforce of around 28,000 employees.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson explained that the partnership seeks to redesign and simplify administrative processes, eliminate duplicated tasks, and accelerate digital transformation. The airline currently relies on more than 1,000 legacy technology applications that require modernization and integration.

Hudson emphasized that rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence are forcing airlines to reconsider their operating models, noting that maintaining the status quo is no longer an option amid the industry's accelerating transformation.

However, Qantas confirmed that final decisions regarding affected employees have not yet been made. The company plans to consult with staff and unions while exploring redeployment and retraining opportunities.

The restructuring comes as Qantas implements a major fleet renewal program. The airline added 17 aircraft during the previous financial year and expects to receive another 31 aircraft in the coming year, reflecting its continued investment in aviation operations despite changes to its administrative structure.

Qantas' restructuring highlights a shift in airline investment priorities. Competition is no longer driven solely by fleet expansion and route networks; it increasingly depends on administrative efficiency, artificial intelligence integration, and effective cost management.

For travelers, the restructuring does not necessarily mean lower airfares or changes in service quality. Its actual impact will depend on the airline's ability to implement technological transformation without compromising operational reliability or customer experience.

The initiative also offers an important case study for Arab airlines seeking to balance cost efficiency with the preservation of human expertise and high service standards.