Qantas Airways offers free flights

Qantas Airways is offering free flights to passengers who were affected by the airline's decision to ground its entire fleet over a labour dispute - the first of a number of measures to regain customer loyalty. In a statement on Sunday, the company said passengers who were unable to fly last weekend are eligible for a free return economy flight within Australia or to New Zealand. (SOUNDBITE) (English) QANTAS SPOKESPERSON, OLIVIA WIRTH, SAYING: "Clearly we do need to say sorry. We do need to rebuild the loyalty of our passengers back to Qantas." The initiative will cost the airline about 20 million Australian dollars. Qantas grounded its fleet on October 29 in order to force a resolution to an ongoing dispute with trade unions over pay, conditions, and job security. Travis Brecher, Reuters