EARNINGS : Qantas Blames Strike for Decline

A bitter and protracted domestic pilots dispute savaged earnings at Qantas, Australia’s international airline, its chairman said today.

After posting a record $136-million profit in 1988-89, Qantas’ profit fell 93.1% to $9 million in the year to June 30, 1990, Chairman Bill Dix said in the annual report.

The pilots’ eight-month dispute over a pay claim, which ended earlier this year, cut operating profits at the state-owned carrier by $127 million, he said.

Qantas, the world’s second-oldest airline--it celebrates its 70th birthday Friday--was also hit by rising fuel costs, spending $331 million on fuel in 1989-90, compared to $261 million the previous year.