Qantas and Jetstar will temporarily stand down 20,000 staff as the coronavirus pandemic continues to play havoc with the air travel industry.

The Qantas Group, the Australian company that owns both airlines, has made the decision to suspend two-thirds of jobs for now "to preserve as many jobs as possible longer term".

The decision comes as Qantas suspends scheduled international flights from late March until at least the end of May, as the Australian government recommends against all overseas travel.

Qantas and Jetstar employ about 30,000 people, meaning 20,000 people will be without a job in this period.