Jetstar pilots have joined ground crew and baggage handlers in industrial action that could see airport chaos as early as next week.

But the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP), which represents 80 per cent of Jetstar pilots, promised on Friday there would be no work stoppages over Christmas to New Year period. Yet.

"The decision to embark on protected industrial action has not been made lightly," said the AFAP's executive director Simon Lutton.

"Jetstar pilots and the AFAP (will) ensure that industrial action will not be taken over Christmas to New Year to protect this holiday period for the travelling public."

"We are hoping to resume discussions with the company to reach an agreement so that no further action needs to be taken after this period."

Pay claim

Pilots are seeking a pay claim - the size of which is not immediately known - and demanding the airline address the issue of pilot fatigue.

Jetstar says the AFAP is effectively seeking a 15 per cent increase.

Jetstar captains earn more than $300,000 (including super and allowances) and first officers take home more than $180,000.

The AFAP says this is still significantly lower than what their Qantas counterparts are paid.

Travel plans

Jetstar Group CEO Gareth Evans said the airline would do everything in its power to protect the travel plans of customers and minimise disruptions.

"With less than 20 days until Christmas, we say to the union: come to the table with a reasonable offer that is fair for pilots and which also ensures the future of low fares travel for Australians," Evans said.

"Do not put the holiday plans of tens of thousands of Australians in doubt."

Ground crew

Meanwhile, more than 90 per cent of ground crew voted on Friday for strike action after Jetstar rejected what the Transport Workers Union says are basic demands, including a wage increase and guaranteed hours of work.

Evans said the airline remained open to negotiations with unions "but not at any cost".

He said less than half the airline's total ground crew were TWU members who voted to strike, so disruption from work stoppages was likely to be minimal.

"We have strong contingency plans in place," he said in Melbourne on Friday.

Staffing and safety

Evans said a three per cent pay rise across all employee groups was the airline's longstanding position, which was still higher than private-sector wage growth of about two per cent.

Ground crew and baggage handlers are holding out for a four per cent increase in wages, a guaranteed minimum number of hours for casual staff and reforms to a range of safety and security issues.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said: "Security at our airports is under threat because of bad working conditions, chronic fatigue and deliberate under-staffing.

"The federal government has today announced extra police but this won’t fix the security risks we are seeing every day."

Chevron Right Icon 'The federal government is papering over the cracks on security at our airports while gaping risks are left.'

The TWU claims Jetstar ground crew must sign off that an aircraft is secure before it takes off, yet they are routinely directed to leave aircraft unattended while passengers are still boarding to assist other flights due to inadequate staffing levels.

"They are concerned that anyone could interfere with the unattended aircraft or place a device on it," Kaine said.

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"The federal government is papering over the cracks on security at our airports while gaping risks are left."

Jetstar said it was surprised the TWU pursued a protected action ballot given it had provided a full list of claims only two weeks ago.

7NEWS.com.au is seeking further comment from the airline on the TWU's claims of compromise on safety and security issues.

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