Australia’s top court finds Qantas illegally fired 1,700 staff during pandemic

The ruling is another major blow for Qantas (Mark Baker/AP)

Qantas Airways has lost its challenge to a court ruling that the Australian flag carrier had illegally fired 1,700 baggage handlers, cleaners and other ground staff at the height of pandemic travel disruptions.

Seven High Court judges unanimously rejected Qantas’ appeal against a Federal Court full-bench decision.