Qantas

AFAP Network Aviation Pilot Council - April 2025 Update

Your AFAP Network Aviation Pilot Council recently met on Friday 4th April 2025 with the company for another scheduled consultative meeting. These meetings are an important opportunity for your elected reps to raise concerns directly with management and push for meaningful improvements in our working conditions. Overall the meeting was positive and paved the way for better engagement.

Due to limited time with the Network Management Team during the latest meeting, a follow-up email outlining outstanding items will be sent to the GMFO and CP. Your reps will request that these matters be addressed within the next 28 days.

On the plus side, we’re pleased to report that this session saw several significant wins—some of which are rarely achieved by other councils. There’s still plenty of work ahead, but we’re making progress in key areas. It is important to report that a full management team was present including Trevor Worgan, Evan Bartlett, Glen Fuge, Jason Pereira, Manoj Kasare and Philip Gregory. This full management attendance is a good sign that serious consideration is being given to the views and positions of your pilot council who of course represent the views of the pilot community in Network.

Attendance was as follows - Stephen Maughan (Chair), Joshua Sheldon (Secretary), Sasha Leavy, Matt Atkinson, Mark Levitt, and Geoffrey Aro attended the meeting. Ben Walmsley (Vice- Chair) and Emanuel Zimmerman provided apologies. Chris Aikens from the AFAP was also in attendance to support the Council.

General Updates

The AFAP will be sending out a communication shortly to inform members about an upcoming informal members meeting. This will be an opportunity for members to meet directly with their representatives, raise any concerns or issues they have, and engage in open discussion. We encourage all members to attend and make use of this valuable chance to speak with their AFAP reps. Please reserve Friday 13th June 2025 6-9pm.

Leave Automation and Operational Systems

Following on from the previous meeting, the company has nearly completed the implementation of automatic stick time for sim sessions and safety pilots. Work is continuing on other rostering system enhancements, with the automation of uncrewed duties expected to be in place by August. The ability to bid for specific overnights is anticipated to be introduced by the end of July, alongside the ability to view banked SDO’s.

The company has also indicated a willingness to conduct a series of “dummy” runs with your AFAP reps to test weighting within the new bidding system. This follows sustained pressure from the Council to ensure that any future changes do not result in unintended negative outcomes for pilots—particularly when it comes to the fair application of penalties, roster equity, and transparency. These test runs will allow the reps to verify that the system behaves as expected before full implementation, and to advocate for changes where necessary. It’s a positive step towards accountability and ensuring pilot input is genuinely factored into system development.

Pilots are encouraged to provide feedback on these systems through the company’s Rostering Working Group (RWG) representatives. Four of these RWG members are also on the AFAP council and are well placed to represent pilot interests (Steve Maughan, Ben Walmsley, Sasha Leavy and Joshua Sheldon).

Maintenance & Operations

The company has admitted that the ageing Fokker fleet requires increasingly high-touch maintenance to stay in the air. While the company reports that the Airnorth program has helped reduce Aircraft on Ground (AOG) events, additional support is still being brought in, including engineers from Europe, to help strengthen the maintenance effort.

Despite repeated calls from AFAP reps, the company continues to drag its feet on the broader fleet transition. At our last meeting, we were told a decision would be made by February—it's now April, and pilots are still in the dark. This delay raises serious concerns about long-term planning and operational stability.

The company confirmed that the Fokkers can fly until 2030, but conceded they’ll need replacing
well before then. In the meantime, the last of the new A319s is still scheduled to enter service in June.

Airnorth Wet Lease

Reps sought clarification on the Airnorth wet lease arrangement, which has now been extended through to 6 June and currently involves four return services per week to Geraldton. Given this extension, we’ve pushed to have the issue of compensation re-tabled.

Specifically, we’re seeking to turn the previously discussed retention payment into a more consistent fortnightly arrangement. In addition, reps have called for increased access to leave lines for affected crew, recognizing the ongoing impact this extended operation has on work-life balance.

This isn’t a new ask—but given the significant change in scope and timeline, we believe it’s only fair that compensation and rostering flexibility be reviewed. The company has taken this on notice, and we’ll continue to push for fair recognition of our members' contribution.

Recruitment & Training

Your Council has been advocating for a change to how Training Reserve duties are structured, with the goal of improving outcomes for pilots and reducing the ongoing burden of permanent reserve requirements.

A proposal has been put forward to convert these duties into a new form of day — referred to as a “Training A-Day” — which would recognise the fixed nature of training activities and remove them from the traditional reserve framework.
This idea has been considered with feedback by TCORG, and while not yet approved or actioned, the company has indicated no opposition and agreed in principle to explore this model. The proposal will now proceed for further discussion through the Rosters Working Group (RWG). This is a positive development, and we will continue to push to see it progressed and implemented.

Accommodation and Meals

After firm and consistent pressure from your Council, the company has confirmed that our nominated representative for accommodation and meals, Matt Atkinson, will be conducting site visits to both Port Hedland and Ginbata. These inspections are part of our broader push to ensure that accommodation standards are being met in practice—not just assumed on paper.

On the meals front, Matt is also working directly with the company to lift overall standards. He’ll be involved in reviewing proposed improvements during the next meal rotation. We’ll continue advocating for higher quality, consistency, and nutritional value in what’s being provided.

The company has stated that any improvements must be “cost neutral”—a position we challenge. We believe basic standards of decency, health, and morale should not be constrained by the lowest possible spend. We’ll continue pushing back on this penny-pinching approach.

Importantly, if you’ve experienced issues with meals or accommodation, don’t just cop it—raise it with the company and with Matt so we can follow up and keep pressure on where it’s needed.

In a further step forward, the company has now acknowledged the need for continued engagement with the Council regarding hard lying allowance. A preliminary draft list is underway, outlining which outports are preferred accommodation options and which may attract a hard lying classification. This work will continue following the release of the Enterprise Determination 2025 (ED25) from the Fair Work Commission.

Rostering and Reserve Issues

In great news for our members! After continued advocacy, the company has confirmed that planning for the implementation of bidding for the Christmas and New Year holiday period is expected to begin mid-year. This is a win for our reps who have been pushing for more visibility and control over these crucial timeframes, ensuring members will have more clarity and fairer access to their holiday allocations.

AFAP reps have strongly objected to the ongoing practice of leaving pilots on reserve while flights remain uncrewed until the last minute. Despite consistent and clear anecdotal evidence from both reps and line pilots, the company continues to deny this is occurring.

Pilots have been overwhelmingly clear: they want to know their duties the night before. After sustained pressure, the company has now agreed to explore system alerts that would flag unassigned duties in advance—an important first step driven by union advocacy.

Promotions

The company was pressed on whether they would begin accepting external direct entry commands, a move that could have significant implications for internal promotion opportunities. However, despite ongoing discussions and clear expectations, they have failed to provide any solid answers on the matter. This lack of clarity is concerning, especially considering the projected upgrade numbers. With command opportunities already limited, the figures point to a troubling future where command positions cannot be fulfilled internally, further exacerbating the already strained promotion pipeline.

This ongoing uncertainty is frustrating for members, who are clearly being left in the dark, despite repeated pushes for transparency. It's clear that the company needs to take accountability and act decisively. Our reps will continue to hold them to their promises and demand the answers that our members deserve.

On a slightly more positive note, the company has agreed to the idea of an AFAP council member joining the Promotions Committee as an observer. While this is a step in the right direction, it's clear that more action is needed to ensure fair and transparent opportunities for all our members.

Mainline Transparency

The company has agreed to improve transparency around position holdings for Network pilots seeking transition to Qantas Mainline. For those who have been successful in their application, the company is now open to disclosing each pilot’s hold file seniority number. This step will help provide clarity and support confidence in the fairness of the process.

In addition, the company has committed to releasing two pilots per roster period to Qantas Mainline, subject to course availability. This is a positive shift that brings greater certainty to those awaiting transition and marks a step forward in recognising career progression pathways.

While this progress is welcome, your Council will continue to push for stronger transparency and ongoing accountability, to ensure pilots are given both the information and the opportunities they deserve.

Private Operations

AFAP representatives raised concerns regarding the use of A319/A320 aircraft for “private flying,” with Network Aviation aircraft reportedly operating outside of the AOC exposition. The company confirmed that these flights are conducted under Part 91 – non-revenue private operations.

The Council questioned the safety and compliance risks associated with operating these aircraft outside the AOC framework, noting that such flights are conducted without the protections and oversight afforded by:

The AOC’s Safety Management System (SMS)
The AOC Training standards
AOC Operational procedures
Regulatory compliance controls tied to commercial air transport operations

We also raised fundamental questions under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) about how an aircraft can be operated under an AOC in the morning and then flown as a non-AOC private operation in the afternoon. We question how these two regulatory frameworks—CASR Part 119, which governs AOC-based operations, and CASR Part 91, which applies to private flying—can be legally compatible in such a scenario, given the complexities of an Airline RPT AOC.

In addition to the compliance and regulatory questions, your AFAP Council stressed the concern around aircraft assurance for Network pilots. If these aircraft are being used in non- AOC operations, any resulting damage or technical issues could directly jeopardise the availability, safety, and reliability of aircraft used in our regular operations. We are employed under the Network AOC—and we expect that the aircraft we operate are maintained to the highest and most consistent standard, without external use undermining that assurance.

We also questioned the “reduced touch-time” these aircraft are receiving—especially if they’re being used on weekends for private operations. Less time on the ground means less time for proper maintenance and oversight.

Management responded by stating they are only responsible for aircraft operating under the Network AOC and were unable to answer questions relating to flights conducted outside that scope. While this response was disappointing, they did commit to forwarding our concerns to the operators of those flights.

We will continue to pursue this issue. The AFAP maintains that any operation involving Network Aviation aircraft or crews—regardless of classification—must meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and transparency. The AFAP Council is clear: the use of “private” classifications must not become a loophole for regulatory avoidance

FWC Outcome Update

As previously mentioned, the Council will continue to meet on a quarterly basis. However, we are hoping for the outcome of the arbitration process before our next meeting. Given that we are currently awaiting the decision, the next communication will likely provide the outcome, along with an initial overview of the key changes and expected implementation dates.

It’s important to note that it will take some time for the Council to fully review the final document. If there are any areas of uncertainty or concern, we will not hesitate to arrange further meetings with the company to seek clarification and ensure our members' interests are fully represented.

Transparency Around Additional Flying

During the meeting, your Council asked direct questions about the scope of additional flying. We were told there was nothing new to report. Then, curiously, just a few days later on Monday afternoon, the company issued new internal communications about additional flying activity—targeted at multiple staff groups across the Qantas Group. This included updates regarding possible future services between Perth and Adelaide.

Further feedback from other areas within the Group indicates that several separate but related communications were released around the same time, all referencing the same flying activity. This coordinated rollout strongly suggests the information was known prior to our meeting, yet was not disclosed to your elected representatives.

We will continue to track patterns like this and raise them directly. Trust is built through transparency and consistency—and we remain committed to holding the company to that standard.

AFAP Network Aviation Pilot Council

Stephen Maughan: smaughan@iinet.net.au
Ben Walmsley: ben.walms@gmail.com
Joshua Sheldon: Josh.b.sheldon@gmail.com
Sasha Leavy: sasha_leavy@hotmail.com
Matt Atkinson: matkinson209@gmail.com
Eman Zimmerman: mano01@hotmail.com
Mark Levitt: ml.network.pilotcouncil@outlook.com
Geoffrey Aro: flyingaro@gmail.com

In addition, the AFAP Senior Industrial Officer Chris Aikens is contactable on chris@afap.org.au. The AFAP Member Assistance Program (MAP) can be contacted via Freecall 1300 307 912