Several staff members spoke with the Torres News after receiving letters about the decision.

"We don’t know what our futures hold; we don’t know if we’ll have jobs in the future," they said.

"IBIS and QantasLink have reassured us that we’ll have first preferences for any positions with the new agents, but we want to know who the new agents will be.

"It will depend on who they are.

"We have been told not to panic, but you can’t help it when you don’t know if you’ll have a job," one staff member said.

"It’s very upsetting. We’ve had a lot of training over the years in these jobs and we’re sure QantasLink don’t want to lose us."

Another staff member said: "I feel so disappointed. IBIS is a really strong business name in the Torres Strait and it’s sad they’re going to do that to us.

"It sad another business is to close down," they said.

The Torres News has been told at least two potential replacements have already been approached to fill the role.

The newspaper also knows of a third operation possibly interested as the future agency.

At least one senior QantasLink executive is expected in the Torres Strait this week, as early as Tuesday, to try to resolve the situation.

There is little doubt the existing staff hold the key to the situation, with all well trained and highly experienced and efficient in their positions.