Qantas cancels at least 24 flights over WA pilot strike

The news: Qantas has cancelled dozens of flights on a regional subsidiary due to a pilot strike in Western Australia. Network Aviation runs fly-in-fly-out and regional services across the state.

The numbers: At least 24 services have been cancelled as a result of the 24-hour stoppage by Network Aviation pilots, affecting roughly 3500 customers. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots is calling for an at least 50% pay increase for Network pilots, many of whom make less than the industry award, the federation said. Qantas has stood firm on a 25% increase and 3% each year going forward since talks reached a stalemate in March. Qantas shares were trading almost half a per cent lower at $4.995 shortly after midday AEST.

The context: FIFO workers make up a significant portion of the workforce at some of WA's largest mining hubs. Qantas last month posted a statutory profit after tax of $1.74 billion, but the airline's reputation has been under increasing scrutiny in the wake of multiple scandals, leading to the early departure of chief executive Alan Joyce last month.