Qantas Airways will slash 90 senior executive jobs due to the global economic slowdown.

Qantas said the reductions in management numbers was part of a fundamental review of the airline's organisational structure.

The review is aimed at ensuring it is better equipped to respond to commercial challenges, including the impact of the current global financial and economic crisis.

The carrier will remove 90 current senior management positions, maintaining a salary freeze and making a number of role changes for the remaining managers.

Most of the job cuts announced today would be achieved by the end of April, a source briefed on the situation told Reuters. The cuts announced last year also included some senior management positions, the source added.

Qantas shares are little changed today, gaining 2 cents in recent trade, to $1.775 cents.

Chief executive Alan Joyce said it was clear that the aviation sector faced considerable commercial challenges for the foreseeable future.

''Qantas must respond decisively to what is happening, and our response must begin with those of us who lead the company,'' Mr Joyce said.

Starting today, we will be making some longer term organisational changes to the management of the Qantas group to develop a leaner, more fast-moving organisation,'' he said.

Mr Joyce said Qantas will be moving to a structure that reduces the numbers and layers of management in the company.
''This means a number of managers will be leaving the company.

''The ongoing management team are being asked to take on new tasks and we are asking every manager to work with his or her team to achieve more operational efficiency in coming months.''

Mr Joyce said the ability to make hard changes earlier than others distinguishes Qantas from its competitors.

''We confront challenges when they need to be confronted.

''Doing so has helped the Qantas Group survive and prosper.''

Mr Joyce said the changes would mean fewer overheads and reduce the number of layers between those leading the business and those working with customers, aircraft and the carrier's business partners.

''But we are taking great care to retain the ability to deliver world-class customer service and ensure safety is not compromised,'' he said

Mr Joyce said he wanted to extend his thanks for the efforts of those that were leaving the company.

''We will be working with everyone in that situation to ensure that we assist them to deal with the transitions they face as much as we can.''

Last year Qantas announced plans to cut 1500 jobs.

The 90 senior executive job cuts are a separate move to the previously announced cuts.

Airlines around the world are grappling with slumping demand as business and leisure travellers cut back amid the tough economic times.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sees the global air transport industry posting a loss in $US4.7 billion ($6.7 billion) in  2009, up from its previous estimate of a $US2.5 billion loss, reflecting the deterioration of global economic conditions.

That comes on top of an estimated $US8.5 billion loss last year.

IATA said on Tuesday that industry revenues are expected to fall by 12 percent to $467 billion, worse than the drop seen after the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. 

AAP, Reuters