Some 6,100 Qantas passengers will be affected by ground crew and baggage handler strikes on Tuesday.

Olivia Wirth, spokesman for the troubled carrier released an official statement today and apologised in advance to passengers that will see disruptions. Tomorrow morning, Qantas employees belonging to the Transport Workers Union (TWU) will strike during peak air traffic hours in an ongoing battle with management over work conditions and pay rates.

The airline has already cancelled 28 flights scheduled for departure on Tuesday whilst an additional 27 will be delayed by as much as 35 minutes. Carrier officials said further disruptions could take place over the next 48 hours following the end of the strike. Qantas management and larger aircraft will be utilised to soften the impact of the strike, the officials said.

Meanwhile Ms Wirth said to reporters that TWU members had requested a pay increase of 15 per cent over the coming three years, which the carrier said was ‘not suitable’ given the current economic climate.

But last week saw Tony Sheldon, national secretary for the TWU slam the airline’s management strategies, which he called ‘aggressive’ and said that union members hadn’t been shown anything close to reasonable respect. Meanwhile, the airline continues to face additional strikes from pilots and engineers, who claim the airline continues to try to move jobs overseas.