# Qantas Labor Dispute Impacts Ground Handling and Air Freight

**Category:** Operational Alerts  |  **Source:** Freight & Trade Alliance  |  **Published:** 2026-09-29  |  **Updated:** 2026-09-30

**Tags:** Qantas, Australian air Express, Streik, Luftfracht, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht, Digitalisierung

> Qantas ground staff struck at four airports. Australian air Express and thus air freight operations were also affected.

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A 24-hour industrial action at Qantas subsidiary companies affected four major Australian airports on September 24. Employees in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth ceased work. According to union statements, the action was over higher wages, safer working conditions and improved safety standards.

Staff members from Qantas Ground Services, Australian air Express and partially QantasLink were involved. Australian air Express operates in the cargo and express segment. Therefore, the strike was not only a passenger issue. Ground handling, sorting, handover and ramp processes could also run more slowly.

Although a one-day strike ends after 24 hours, the backlog can persist longer. Missed flights, unloaded cargo units and rebooked shipments must be processed subsequently. This is particularly critical for perishable goods or spare parts.

For international freight forwarders, the long distance adds another challenge. A missed connection within Australia can also result in missing a transcontinental flight. Shipment tracking and direct communication with the airline or handling agent therefore remain important.

For express cargo, rerouting via Melbourne can help, but causes additional domestic transportation. Whether this is faster must be calculated individually for each shipment.

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For affected shipments, actual departure, warehouse status, and new connection should be verified. "Flight departed" is not sufficient if the cargo did not actually fly. Refrigerated and hazardous goods require special attention.

In short: The strike is over, but stranded cargo may still arrive days later.

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The labor action lasted 24 hours.
It began on September 24, 2026.
Affected cities were Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
Qantas Ground Services was involved.
Australian Air Express was also affected.
Parts of QantasLink also participated.
Air cargo and ground operations experienced delays.
Backlogs may continue after the strike ends.

## Related Entities

### Countries

- [Australia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/au)

### Airports

- [Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/sydney-kingsford-smith-international-airport-syd)
- [Brisbane International Airport (BNE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/brisbane-international-airport-bne)
- [Adelaide International Airport (ADL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/adelaide-international-airport-adl)
- [Perth International Airport (PER)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/perth-international-airport-per)

### Glossary

- [Cargo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/cargo)
- [Air Waybill](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/air-waybill-4)
- [Shipment](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/shipment)
- [Shipment tracking](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/shipment-tracking)
- [Freight forwarder](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freight-forwarder)
- [Tracking](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/tracking)
- [Goods](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/goods)
- [Airborne](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/airborne)
- [Strike Contingency Planning](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/strike-contingency-planning)
- [Unit Load](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/unit-load-3)
- [rerouting](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/rerouting)
- [Security standard](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/security-standard)
- [air freight process](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/air-freight-process)
- [loading ramp](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/loading-ramp)
- [Ground handling](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/ground-handling)
- [Handlingagent](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/handlingagent)
- [ULD](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/uld)
- [Anschlussflug](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/anschlussflug)

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