Qantas and the union representing Qantas long-haul pilots will attend conciliation talks before Fair Work Australia today after Qantas requested the hearing to try to resolve the ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

Despite 12 months of negotiations and 35 meetings with the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) a new enterprise bargaining agreement has still not been reached.

Qantas values its 1650 long-haul pilots and the important work they do. Qantas is committed to reaching a fair agreement with its 1650 long-haul pilots and are willing to negotiate reasonable increases in pay and conditions as well as productivity improvements that help position Qantas international operations for future growth.

Qantas sought conciliation before Fair Work Australia after the pilots' union refused to meaningfully negotiate on pay and conditions unless their demand that Jetstar pay its pilots the same premium pay and conditions as Qantas long-haul pilots was met. Alternatively, the union is demanding that Qantas reduce the options for passengers by removing Qantas codeshare flights from Jetstar.

Qantas has made it clear to the pilots' union that this demand would lead to job losses, increase the cost of airfares and make the business unsustainable.

In addition to this demand, the union's claim would cost the airline in excess of AU$150 million over four years. This includes pay increases and free flights on top of already heavily discounted travel.

Qantas pilots are amongst the highest paid in the world and their pay and conditions are around 50 percent higher than Virgin long-haul pilots.

Contributed by Qantas Airways Limited