The Transport Workers Union (TWU) canceled the two-hour strike scheduled on Friday as a "significant gesture of good faith." However, their move apparently failed to appease both the passengers and Qantas because flights had already been canceled and delayed.

Since TWU canceled the strike on the 11th hour, by the time they made the decision Qantas already published a new flight schedule that canceled 17 flights and delayed 29 more. The changes affect more than 5,700 passengers.

"We would like to reinstate services; but it's just too late. You can't just turn an airline on and off," Qantas spokeswoman Olivia Wirth said in a statement.

Despite the announcement of changes, thousands of passengers showed up at airports only to discover that their planes would not fly that day. Qantas said it was still contacting travelers through text to advise them of the schedule alteration.

While the baggage handlers and ground crew who belong to TWU changed their mind about the industrial action, the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association said it will go ahead with the planned one-hour strike at 3 p.m. on Friday at the Melbourne Airport. The engineers' job walk off is expected to cause only minor delays.

Qantas has one less headache insofar as potential industrial action is concerned after it reached a new enterprise bargaining agreement with the Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA) which represents cabin crew on short-haul flights.

Members of FAAA are schedule to vote in three weeks on the three-year deal which provides the stewards and stewardesses a 3 per cent pay hike yearly and an annual $500 lump-sum payment.

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