No comment from Qantas on exec job cuts

Qantas is keeping mum over whether it is about to slash 100 senior executive jobs.

Qantas spokesman Simon Rushton said the company would not comment on the airline's potential restructuring plan.

"We're not commenting at this stage," Mr Rushton said.

Responding to a report in The Australian Financial Review that the airline was likely to cut 100 senior executive positions, Mr Rushton said, "It's a speculative story, as they so often are and there is a lot of padding in that story."

Qantas shares were up 1 cent to $1.705 in early trade, in line with broader market gains.

The AFR reported today that the airline was likely to cut 100 senior executive positions after an examination of the business under new chief executive Alan Joyce.

The newspaper cited unnamed senior sources within Qantas.

The 100 job cuts would be in addition to the 1500 job cuts that Qantas announced last year.

An aviation analyst, who wished to remain anonymous, said she would not be surprised if Qantas cut back on the number of senior executives.

"It wouldn't be surprising," the analyst said.

Airlines across the globe are struggling with the slump in air travel demand as a result of the global economic slowdown.

The analyst said Qantas was overstaffed in its senior executive ranks.

"Take Virgin Blue, for example, they have a chief executive and a chief financial officer, et cetera.

"What has Qantas got? They've got a chief executive, chief financial officer, a treasurer, they've got a couple of people in investor relations, a few in media relations, then there is government relations....

"They were set up for a slightly different era as they were once a government department and these things take years and years to unwind.

"Obviously, they need to manage their government relationships and they are an international airline, et cetera, but they've probably got a luxury there compared to other airlines."

- AAP