Qantas Group added 17 aircraft in the past financial year and expects up to 31 more to arrive in the year ahead. (EPA Images pic)SYDNEY: Australian airline Qantas said Tuesday it will cut 850 jobs as it shifts some corporate functions to India and accelerates the use of artificial intelligence.

The nation's largest airline said it had inked a deal with consulting firm Accenture to overhaul "back-end systems", with an unspecified number of roles to be taken over by "teams in India".

"We know this will be difficult news for some of our people and this decision is not a reflection of their contribution or commitment," said chief executive Vanessa Hudson.

Around 850 jobs would be cut, beginning in the middle of 2027.