Stranded passengers await outcome of Qantas crisis talks
Qantas chief Alan Joyce said the planes could be flying again within hours if the three arbitration judges ruled to permanently terminate the grounding
Stranded passengers were waiting to find out if emergency talks would end their misery, after an industrial dispute left hundreds of flights grounded.
Australia's government ordered the arbitration hearing after Qantas Airways grounded its global fleet amid a dispute with striking staff.
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."
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 want the judges to order a suspension so the strikes can be resumed if their negotiations with the national carrier fail.
On Saturday 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 (10 million) a week.
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".
"We're all set for the flight and settled in and the next thing - I'm stunned. We're getting back off the plane," the firefighter said from Sydney Airport.
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 Australi! an dolla rs (233) a day for food and accommodation.
Four Qantas liveried planes were due to take off from Heathrow Airport yesterday - meaning hundreds of passengers who were scheduled to depart were unable to fly.
The Foreign Office issued a statement, advising those due to travel with the airline in the next 48 hours to check on the Qantas website or to consult their tour operator.
The carrier plans to "lock out" all employees involved with industrial action from tomorrow evening. Staff will not be required to turn up at work and will not be paid.
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 said customers booked on Qantas flights should not go to the airport until further notice and 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 last 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."
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