Qantas pilots have today moved toward industrial action for the first time since 1966, with the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) lodging a formal application at Fair Work Australia to ballot 1700 long-haul pilots.

Pilots are proposing to take industrial action due to Qantas management’s refusal to negotiate on ensuring that Qantas pilots remain operating Qantas flights.

Speaking at Fair Work Australia this morning, AIPA President Barry Jackson said the decision to file is one pilots have agonized over for weeks.

“It is with sadness that we have reached this point today,” Captain Jackson said.

“We do so now because we are concerned not only for the future of Qantas pilots, but for the future of Qantas itself. The airline is an Australian icon in which we take enormous pride.”

AIPA Vice President Richard Woodward said while pilots were prepared to negotiate on just about any aspect of pay and conditions, they were absolutely committed to staying in the flight deck Qantas aircraft.

He added the strike could include working to contract obligations and stop-work meetings.

"We hope not to disrupt the passengers. We will try and give them plenty of notice if we have to take extreme action, ’’ he said.

‘‘Ultimately we could take a series of stop-work meetings – that would be an item of last resort.’’