Australian airline Qantas is closing its call centre in London, as well as its Arizona contact centre, leading to the loss of 99 customer service jobs.

The move is in response to changing economic conditions and high oil prices, and will see 1,500 jobs cut worldwide in all areas of the company’s business.

The company will now operate all of its call centre activity from Australia and New Zealand.

Qantas Airways’ ceo Geoff Dixon said every effort would be made to achieve the job cuts through voluntary redundancy, early retirements, an accelerated leave program and converting positions from full-time to part time.

“Acting now, on top of the measures already taken, will protect our competitive position, protect the great majority of over 36,000 jobs and enable us to grow profitably when conditions improve,” said Dixon.

“The redundancy program will be completed by December,” he added.

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