The pilots union of Qantas airlines has challenged before the Federal Court the ruling of Fair Works Australia (FWA) banning the group from staging industrial action.

The Australian International and Pilots Association (AIPA) launched proceedings before the Full Court of the Federal Court on Thursday in a bid to regain its right to conduct industrial action.

The FWA terminated the industrial actions of Qantas and AIPA at the end of October after the airline grounded its fleet for two days ahead of a planned strike by workers to force a lockout and government intervention of the crisis. The FWA decision, which also required the company and unions to settle their labor dispute in 21 days or face arbitration, was meant to restore the airline's service and help thousands of stranded Qantas passengers around the world to fly to their destinations.

The union argued that its minor action was met with a disproportionate response from Qantas.

AIPA argued that members only protested against the Qantas management by wearing red ties and making announcements on the aircraft broadcasting system before takeoff. It claims that the action did not delay or cancel a flight and did not damage the economy.

"It was solely the actions of Qantas through (chief executive) Mr (Alan) Joyce in determining to ground the fleet, which AIPA contends was not in any way protected industrial action by Qantas, that caused damage to the national economy and inconvenienced passengers around the world," the AIPA said in a statement, according to Perth Now.

AIPA said the case will not stop its negotiations with Qantas.