Qantas resumes operations; LAX flights to depart Sunday night

Qantas Airways flights from Los Angeles were scheduled to resume Sunday night after the airline had shut down operations worldwide over the weekend because of conflicts with employee unions.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) reported on Facebook and Twitter that flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia and Auckland, New Zealand, would be departing the airport. The airline usually operates 34 departures a week from LAX.

The airline posted an announcement for L.A. passengers on its website:

“If you are booked on a flight that is scheduled to depart from Los Angeles on Sunday 30th or Monday 31 October (local time), please travel to the airport as normal.

“If your travel has been disrupted and you are in Los Angeles, we will contact you once we have details of your flight. We recommend you do not travel to the airport for a Qantas flight unless you have been advised to do so. All flights are still subject to regulatory approval.”

Reuters says the Australian government’s labor tribunal ordered the airline to resume flights and banned unions from striking. The airline and employee unions, including those representing baggage handlers and pilots, have 21 days to work out a settlement or submit to arbitration.

Qantas’ action affected an estimated 70,000 passengers worldwide. The airline had posted policies on refunds and accommodations for stranded travelers during the shutdown.