QANTAS engineers plan to go ahead with low level industrial action, after negotiations with the airline yesterday failed to solve a pay dispute.

Another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, however, in order to stop work bans the following day.

The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers' Association is demanding a five per cent pay rise, while Qantas has offered three per cent and one per cent on superannuation.

Engineers are required to check planes each day and bans on overtime and secondments could disrupt scheduled flights.

Executive general manager Qantas Engineering David Cox said he was disappointed at the outcome of yesterday's meeting.

"We have made a reasonable offer that the ALAEA has rejected," he said."We will continue to work towards a solution and have contingencies in place to minimise the impact of any disruption to passengers."

ALAEA spokesman Steve Re said there was "some movement" yesterday and a compromise was possible.

The association has about 80 members in Cairns.

While the proposed industrial action is considered minimal, the association has pledged to hold rolling stoppages if the airline pressures individual engineers.

Tourism authorities this week said industrial action should be a last resort, as Cairns tourism was dependent on a strong aviation industry.