Pilot strike threat to Easter flights

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Families hoping to fly away for the break now face a worrying wait to see if the operator can appease its key staff. BA pilots are threatening to walk out over a pay dispute, despite earning up to £120,000.

Their union warned that if the strike goes ahead it will bring chaos to airports.

But British Airways said they would try to stop the strike. A spokesman added: "If strike dates are issued we will act to protect our customers by applying for an injunction." The British Air Line Pilots' Association voted for industrial action over claims that BA intends to outsource flying duties to less qualified pilots on lower pay for its new airline subsidiary Open Skies. But after talks broke down a Balpa spokesman said: "We are now pondering our next step."

A walkout would "effectively ground BA worldwide" according to the union, which must give seven days' notice of any action. Last Easter, about 2.5m million holidaymakers left the country. BA is to launch Open Skies in June, operating flights between Paris, Brussels and New York.

Balpa says the Open Skies pilots will be paid 25 per cent less than BA pilots, raising fears it could lead to cuts in pay and conditions elsewhere in the company. The union said no definite strike dates have been suggested.