The latest cuts were in response to the twin troubles of war in Iraq and the deadly SARS virus. Mr Dixon said Qantas was reacting to protect the company. "We're very confident we'll come through this as a strong and viable airline," he told a media briefing. "... If we do not move quickly, that would be very bad for the future of Qantas. "As it is we are moving quickly and Qantas has a very, very positive future."