On May 17, Qantas expressed concern at media reports that the Australian Labor Party (ALP) remained committed to abolishing Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) and said potential solutions should not be confined to the mining sector.

Qantas Executive General Manager People, Mr Kevin Brown, said the transport sector accounted for more than five per cent of employment compared to mining's two per cent, and a share of GDP similar to that of the mining industry in Australia.

"It therefore makes sense to include aviation and the broader transport industry alongside mining in any further discussion about AWAs," he said.

"Qantas itself has grown employment significantly, creating 10,000 new jobs in the last decade, and now employs around 37,000 people," Mr Brown said.

"Companies within the Qantas Group operate in a highly competitive aviation industry and need the flexibility that AWAs offer.

"We need flexibility to compete with overseas carriers and we need to ensure that all our costs, including our labour costs, are competitive. The use of AWAs is integral to our growth strategy and in no way diminishes our track record as a responsible employer," Mr Brown said.

Jetstar confirmed that it would offer five-year AWAs for at least 250 future pilots and engineers over the next two years to support the airline's growth initiatives in Australian and international markets.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said employment conditions and pay would broadly mirror the current Enterprise Agreements covering existing Jetstar pilots and engineers.

"Our AWAs provide improved recruitment flexibility and are a natural platform for our business to grow while providing excellent levels of remuneration for our skilled workforce in these highly sought after roles.

"Setting an arbitrary date beyond which AWAs will not operate does not give Jetstar the levels of certainty a growing business requires.

"This is particularly important given that we are operating in a hugely competitive market that is likely to include new foreign entrants in the near future."

Qantas is awaiting more information on the ALP's industrial relations policy, and particularly with regard to the future of AWAs.