QantasLink, Australia's largest regional airline, has dismissed calls for its entire fleet to be grounded over security and safety concerns.

The union representing maintenance workers, the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA), says 40 planes should be grounded for inspection and at least 10 of them are unsafe to fly.

It also says cockpit doors can be easily opened without a key when they are meant to be bulletproof and grenade resistant.

The airline, however, has rejected the claim levelled by the ALAEA.

A Qantas Group spokesman says the union's claims are irresponsible and merely part of an industrial campaign.

On Oct. 26, Qantas spokesman David Epstein said the union's claims were an "irresponsible escalation of an industrial campaign involving licenced engineers employed by QantasLink in Queensland".

"This is a well-worn tactic of the ALAEA's federal secretary, when enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations are not going his way," Mr Epstein said.

"Safety and security are our highest priorities, and the cockpit doors on 28 QantasLink turboprop aircraft meet all relevant aviation security regulatory and manufacturer requirements."

Photograph supplied by Gladstone Regional Council, Australia.