More than one thousand Qantas jobs could be on the chopping block as early as this week, as the airline prepares to announces its plans for a maintenance base restructure.

It wants to rationalise its three bases at Melbourne Airport, Avalon and Brisbane, saving $100-million but save a cost of up to a-thousand-and-60 jobs.

It's feared the airline will close its Melbourne heavy maintenance base within months.

Avalon is expected to close within two years, once it’s current maintenance contracts are complete.