Qantas has been handed a $90 million fine after unlawfully making more than 1,800 workers redundant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal court decided the outcome for the airline today, which acted against protections in the Fair Work Act when it outsourced ground staff, cleaners and baggage staff in 2020.

Federal Court Justice Michael Lee said the fine must “bear some resemblance” to the $121 million penalty that the Transport Workers Union fought for, but should be at least $90 million. He said $50 million of the penalty should be given to the Transport Workers Union.

Qantas had been pushing for a “mid range” penalty between $40 million and $80 million.

Former CEO of the airline Alan Joyce said Qantas was the only leading Australian airline not to go bankrupt during or after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“That wasn’t luck. That was resilience,” he said.

Joyce resigned from the job in late 2023 amidst controversies around selling tickets to cancelled flights.

This is not the first time Qantas has given a large penalty, the airline already paid $120 million in compensation to the workers made redundant. In addition to a $100 million fine that was given in 2024, after it was found guilty of selling tickets to already cancelled flights.