The airline said a small team of executives would travel to meet with Accenture, prompting the Australian Services Union to demand that jobs are not axed under a “high-tech smokescreen”.

The airline has been in discussions with the consulting giant over what it calls Project iQ, which could result in the loss of up to 1000 jobs in Australia.

The airline is considering shifting jobs in marketing, finance, human resources and other back-office positions as part of a deal with consulting giant Accenture.