1,400 British Airways managers offered voluntary redundancy as global downturn forces cut in wages bill

The airline is blaming the global economic downturn and high fuel prices for the move.

It hopes the redundancies of senior staff  will save £170 million in wage bills.

BA has offered voluntary redundancy to 1,400 managers in a bid to cut £170million in wage bills

Fears have been raised about possible strikes leaving travellers stranded across the world.

Letters offering the severance deals to managers on salaries between £40,000 to £250,000 are due to be sent out on September 25.

Compulsory redundancies will follow if the vast majority do not accept the offer.

After a planned three month consultation process, the last day for staff will be December 31.

It comes as BA is currently proposing an alliance with American Airlines to offer more transatlantic flights.

A BA spokesman said: 'We are in the worst trading environment the industry has ever faced.

'We must take action to offset the combined effects of the continuing global economic downturn, weakened consumer confidence and high fuel prices.

'Like all airlines we are having to identify areas where we can reduce costs.

'So it has been decided to give managers and senior managers the option to apply for voluntary severance.

'Employee costs are now second only to fuel costs. We still expect fuel costs for the year to rise by £1 billion.

'While the price of oil has dropped, any benefit has been wiped out by the sharp drop in the value of sterling, particularly against the dollar.

'We are determined to maintain a competitive cost base and we will continue to review all areas of the business.'