QPC Briefing No. 35 2026
EA11 Negotiations Update
Today, the AFAP and Qantas held a further bargaining meeting and resolved the outstanding issues between them concerning the proposed EA11 package.
The AFAP and Qantas have now agreed on the terms of a substantially improved package compared with the proposal rejected by pilots in April.
Following the April vote, the AFAP conducted two detailed surveys of pilots. The feedback provided us with a clear mandate to secure:
- no reduction in the overall remuneration uplift contained in the April proposal;
- a fairer and less punitive pay structure;
- further improvements for Second Officers;
- a narrower application of the proposed changes to First Class duty travel;
- stronger Blank Line mitigations; and
- a reduction in the overall concessions sought from pilots.
Given the package agreed between the AFAP and Qantas achieves these objectives and represents a significant improvement on the April proposal, we believe it will attract broad support from the pilot group.
The post-vote surveys attracted a substantial number of responses from both members and non-members. This gave us confidence that the priorities identified reflected the views of the broader pilot group, rather than only the AFAP membership. The consistency of that feedback provided a strong mandate for the objectives pursued throughout these negotiations, and the package now agreed reflects those priorities.
The AFAP has not yet taken the final step of formally reaching an in-principle agreement because we want to provide AIPA with a genuine opportunity to consider the package and provide input before that occurs.
The AFAP remains open to supporting any improvements or amendments proposed by AIPA that would benefit pilots, provided they do not undermine the overall integrity or value of the package.
We have agreed with Qantas that it will provide AIPA with details of the package ahead of tomorrow’s section 240 conference before the Fair Work Commission.
The terms broadly agreed between Qantas and the AFAP will form the basis of discussions at tomorrow’s Fair Work Commission conference. Until we have finalised the Commission processes it would be inappropriate to provide full details of the package.
The AFAP will participate in the section 240 conference in good faith, and in any further conference next week if required, with the objective of reaching an in-principle agreement supported by the AFAP, Qantas and AIPA.
We will continue to keep members updated on further developments.
Questions and Feedback
If you have any questions or further feedback, please contact your AFAP Qantas Pilot Council representatives at qpc@afap.org.au, or the AFAP Legal and Industrial team:
Regards,
AFAP Qantas Pilot Council
Michael Egan – Chair
Mark Gilmour – Vice-Chair
Rob Close – Secretary
Michael Armessen – Committee Member
David LaPorte – Committee Member
Josh Chalmers – Committee Member
Rob Gilmour – Committee Member