Qantas expects to record a profit in the first half of the financial year, despite the airline's ongoing disputes with unions and rising fuel prices.
The airline is forecasting an underlying pre-tax profit of between $A140 million and $A190 million for the six months to the end of December, as much as 66% less than the profit recorded in the same period last year.
The airline estimates industrial action by unions, which represent pilots, licensed engineers and ground crew - including baggage handlers - has cost a total of $194 million in the first half of the financial year.
It says rising fuel costs also will also drive down profit.
