Advertisement Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has warned he may have to stand down staff without pay if state coronavirus lockdowns drag on after the national carrier was forced to slash domestic flights to less than half their normal rate. The airline had already cut back its flights this month to 60 per cent of pre-COVID levels as a result of the NSW lockdown, compared to 90 per cent before the most recent round of lockdowns. The South Australian and Victorian shutdowns have now pushed that figure below 40 per cent. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has warned staff may be stood down if lockdowns continue for too long.