The board of Qantas has faced tough questioning from shareholders over a payout to former chief executive Geoff Dixon.
The ABC reports he received $A11 million, following a financial year in which 1840 full time equivalent management and operational jobs were cut.
But remuneration committee chairman James Strong said Mr Dixon's payout was related to contractual terms worked out several years before.
Mr Strong said the payment was not discretionary.
Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford told the meeting on Wednesday that Qantas was one of the few profitable airlines in the world, despite the current challenges.
