Airbus' project to build planes to take on the 'world's longest commercial flight' have received a boost.
Qantas' plans for non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London, Paris and New York - dubbed Project Sunrise - had been under negotiation with their international pilots.
But now a deal has been reached in a new agreement with the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA). It covers wages and working conditions for flight deck crews on what will be 18-20 hour marathon journeys.
This is a boost for the project which had seen the orders for ultra long-haul Airbus A350-1000 planes delayed due to coronavirus.
Wings for the plane would be made at Airbus Broughton, North Wales.
Qantas are now waiting until they have battled that storm before placing orders, which were due to done this month. They now have until December to submit an order.
Qantas chief pilot Dick Tobiano said: "The extraordinary circumstances facing aviation has seen Airbus agree to extend the deadline on our decision to purchase the A350s so we can both focus on navigating the coronavirus crisis.
"But when this period has passed, and it will, we will refocus our attention on Project Sunrise and the A350 order."
