British Airways has virtually grounded all flights after as many as 4,000 pilots have started a strike. Many flights from India to UK have been cancelled for Monday. The British Airline Pilots Association Balpa said that British Airways should share more of its profits with its pilots.
British Airways issued a statement saying, “We understand the frustration and disruption Balpa’s strike action has caused you. After many months of trying to resolve the pay dispute, we are extremely sorry that it has come to this.”
“Unfortunately, with no detail from Balpa on which pilots would strike, we had no way of predicting how many would come to work or which aircraft they are qualified to fly, so we had no option but to cancel nearly 100 per cent our flights.”
“Our members’ resolve is very strong and they remain very angry with BA, but they also want to leave no stone unturned in trying to find a resolution to their dispute.”
“Our members’ resolve is very strong and they remain very angry with BA, but they also want to leave no stone unturned in trying to find a resolution to their dispute.” https://t.co/eiSesDcpMp
— BALPA (@BALPApilots) September 5, 2019
The British Airways has said it is engaging in talks with Balpa. We remain ready and willing to return to talks with Balpa while the airline has offered refunds and alternative bookings to affected passengers.
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According to an Associated Press report, Balpa has said that the pilots will strike on 9, 10 and 27 September. British Airlines had lost a bid late last month in the Court of Appeal seeking a temporary injunction to prevent strikes by pilots based at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
The union has accused BA of making massive profits at the expense of workers who made sacrifices during hard times. British Airways has said that the union is “destroying the travel plans of tens of thousands of our customers with this unjustifiable strike action.” The airline says it is pursuing “every avenue” to avoid industrial action.
— British Airways (@British_Airways) September 9, 2019