Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says the airline is taking its time to form an alliance with a major overseas carrier.
Speculation has been rife in recent months that Qantas was close to sealing a partnership with Dubai-based Emirates as part of its five-year strategy to improve its international operations.
About 2,800 full time jobs are expected to be cut from the airline as a
result of its transformation, which would also result in $300 million in
savings each year, Mr Joyce said.
Mr Joyce told a business lunch in Sydney on Wednesday an alliance was an important part of the airline's plans.
Related: Is Qantas heading for a nosedive?
Related: Qantas cleared to run free from union control
"But we only enter partnerships when we have the right arrangement for the long term," he said.
"In the current economic environment, taking our time with this part of our agenda will clearly not undermine our broader transformation plan."
Mr Joyce also defended his strategy for the airline, which will result in mass job losses.
"What you have seen in media headlines may have left you with the impression that our response to the challenges before Qantas is to retreat, or just cut back," Mr Joyce said.
"That's not the case.
"We are undertaking a wholesale transformation of Qantas to make it better and stronger, the premium Australian airline for our times."
Related: Outrage as Qantas slashes 500 jobs
In a tweet following Mr Joyce's statement, Qantas said, "We have not announced additional job cuts. The 2800 quoted are those which have already been announced".
