As part of the goal, the airline will invest $50 million over 10 years to build a sustainable aviation fuel industry that will limit its net emissions from 2020 and double the number of flights offsetting carbon emissions.

Alan Joyce, chief executive of Qantas Group, said the 2050 target was “ambitious but achievable”.

He said in a statement: "We recognize that airlines have a responsibility to reduce emissions and deal with climate change." "We have made good progress, especially through the investment of new aircraft with smaller carbon footprints.”

Starting in 2020, Qantas will offset all emissions from Qantas, Jetstar Australia, and New Zealand.

Qantas will also continue the net emissions of its Project Sunrise research flights from Australia to New York and London.