Following the abrupt announcement of the suspension of operations , all Qantas aircraft already on the ground , regardless of whether they were in maintenance or serviceable , were grounded , and all passengers who had boarded aircraft were instructed to disembark and collect their baggage . Multiple reports suggested that some aircraft turned around during taxiing for take-off . Flights that were in the air at the time of the announcement continued to their next destinations and were then grounded . The lock-out was expected to affect 68,000 to 80,000 passengers in the first day , to result in the cancellation of 600 flights and to cost the airline in excess of A$ 20 million each day . Bookings of 17 Heads of state attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth were also affected
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011
2011 Qantas industrial disputes