Qantas Airways was back in the air today after Australia’s industrial relations umpire imposed a 21-day truce on the company and the three unions that had been disrupting services.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said services could be back to normal by tomorrow after the umpire instructed the airline to fly again and the unions to stop strike action.

The industrial action was to push claims for higher pay, better conditions and a commitment not to send any more jobs offshore.

Qantas grounded its fleet on Saturday, leaving 108 planes idle at 22 airports around the world and stranding 68,000 passengers.

“I don’t think any side should be declaring victory,” Joyce told local radio. “The unions can’t take any more action. Qantas can’t take any more action - that’s gone - so our aircraft go back in the air.”

Joyce defended the unprecedented decision to ground aircraft and lock out the workforce.

“Between them, these three unions have attempted to change the parameters of industrial negotiations from pay to the strategic direction of a company,” Joyce said.

“The dispute was unbalanced, all the pain was on one side,” he said. “We had to do something.”

Despite predictions that Qantas’ share price would crash, investors rejoiced in the company’s willingness to take on the unions.

After closing on Friday at A$1.54, the company’s stock added 7 cents to trade at today’s close at A$1.61.

- dpa