New research has revealed the extent of the financial and mental toll on airline workers after two years of stand-downs alongside the airline’s threat to slash their pay almost in half.

The national carrier is once again facing condemnation from unions after applying to scrap its long-haul crew contract in an effort to “push through” a new deal.

A cabin crew union in the US said incidences of passengers verbally and physically abusing staff has climbed since the pandemic began.

Lawyers representing Flight Centre have responded to allegations that the travel giant underpaid employees and failed to give them adequate breaks, arguing it is not the employer’s job to “stand over” workers.

The TWU’s Michael Kaine has penned an urgent message to the government asking them to stop the collapse of Australia’s aviation industry.

Jetstar workers have voted to accept an enterprise agreement, ending months of industrial action during peak travel periods.

Jetstar has labelled wage claims from unions “unsustainable and “inconsistent”, as the airline cuts 10 per cent of its January flights to minimise disruptions.

The Jetstar strikes saga continues, with ground crew and baggage handlers announcing they will walk off the job on Friday.

Jetstar pilots are threatening industrial action over the silly season due to a breakdown of enterprise agreement negotiations.

The airline said the program will now only include 50 senior managers and executives after being accused of “grinch behaviour”.

Travel Weekly staff held a strike over lack of roasted almonds and champagne once, but were only given unsalted peanuts and Passion Pop in return.

Negotiations have soured between Jetstar and its ground crews with a union claiming the airline has threatened to ground its entire fleet.