Qantas’ intrastate network was thrown into disarray on 21 December 2025 after a group of fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) pilots employed through Network Aviation began protected industrial action over pay and rosters. The 24-hour work stoppage forced the airline to cancel 29 return services linking Perth with mining centres such as Newman, Paraburdoo and Kalgoorlie, leaving an estimated 500 workers and holiday-makers stranded at short notice. Mining companies scrambled to re-charter aircraft so that critical maintenance teams could reach remote sites in time for the Christmas shutdown, while Perth Airport allocated additional customer-service staff to help re-book affected passengers.
Background negotiations between the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) and Qantas have dragged on for more than 12 months. The union says Network Aviation commanders earn up to 40 per cent less than mainline Qantas pilots flying jets of similar size and that proposed duty rosters do not provide sufficient fatigue breaks on the long regional sectors. Qantas counters that its offer already includes base-pay increases of 17 per cent over four years plus productivity bonuses.
From a global-mobility perspective, the stoppage highlights the fragility of Australia’s resource-sector air bridge. More than 65,000 FIFO workers rely on regular services from Perth each month; when those flights are pulled, mining output and project schedules are immediately at risk. Corporate mobility managers should therefore review force-majeure clauses in service contracts, maintain standing arrangements with charter operators and ensure travel-risk insurance covers delays caused by industrial action.
![FIFO pilot strike grounds 29 Qantas services across Western Australia]()
Should last-minute rerouting require workers or contractors from overseas to transit through different countries en route to Western Australia, VisaHQ’s self-service platform can fast-track any additional visas or transit permits. The company offers real-time guidance on Australian entry requirements as well as dozens of neighbouring jurisdictions, and its Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) allows organisations to manage multiple applicants in one dashboard—particularly useful when mobilising mine-site crews on short notice.
The episode also raises broader questions about Australia’s looming pilot shortage. With border-reopening–fuelled travel demand returning to pre-pandemic levels, regional carriers face stiff competition for flight crew—especially those willing to live in Perth yet spend nights in outback camps. Industry analysts warn that unless labour-supply issues are addressed through accelerated skilled-migration pathways or domestic training incentives, similar disruptions could become more frequent in 2026 and beyond.
Qantas has expressed hope that talks scheduled for early January will avert further strikes, but AFAP officials say rolling stoppages remain “very much on the table” if no breakthrough is reached. Travellers to remote Western Australia over the summer holiday period are therefore advised to book flexible fares, allow generous connection buffers and monitor Qantas’ travel-alerts feed closely.
Background negotiations between the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) and Qantas have dragged on for more than 12 months. The union says Network Aviation commanders earn up to 40 per cent less than mainline Qantas pilots flying jets of similar size and that proposed duty rosters do not provide sufficient fatigue breaks on the long regional sectors. Qantas counters that its offer already includes base-pay increases of 17 per cent over four years plus productivity bonuses.
From a global-mobility perspective, the stoppage highlights the fragility of Australia’s resource-sector air bridge. More than 65,000 FIFO workers rely on regular services from Perth each month; when those flights are pulled, mining output and project schedules are immediately at risk. Corporate mobility managers should therefore review force-majeure clauses in service contracts, maintain standing arrangements with charter operators and ensure travel-risk insurance covers delays caused by industrial action.
Should last-minute rerouting require workers or contractors from overseas to transit through different countries en route to Western Australia, VisaHQ’s self-service platform can fast-track any additional visas or transit permits. The company offers real-time guidance on Australian entry requirements as well as dozens of neighbouring jurisdictions, and its Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) allows organisations to manage multiple applicants in one dashboard—particularly useful when mobilising mine-site crews on short notice.
The episode also raises broader questions about Australia’s looming pilot shortage. With border-reopening–fuelled travel demand returning to pre-pandemic levels, regional carriers face stiff competition for flight crew—especially those willing to live in Perth yet spend nights in outback camps. Industry analysts warn that unless labour-supply issues are addressed through accelerated skilled-migration pathways or domestic training incentives, similar disruptions could become more frequent in 2026 and beyond.
Qantas has expressed hope that talks scheduled for early January will avert further strikes, but AFAP officials say rolling stoppages remain “very much on the table” if no breakthrough is reached. Travellers to remote Western Australia over the summer holiday period are therefore advised to book flexible fares, allow generous connection buffers and monitor Qantas’ travel-alerts feed closely.
