British Airways pilots are going to strike next month. Balpa, the British pilot trade union has announced the news. It is the first pilot strike at the airline in forty years. The pilots demand a wage increase and new agreements on profit sharing and payment in shares. British Airways calls the strike “unacceptable”.
At the end of last month a British judge decided that the pilots could go on strike. British Airways had asked for a ban because a strike during the busy summer period would harm many travelers.
British Airways, which is part of the listed aviation group IAG, says the pilots have paid 11.5 percent more wages over three years. The company calls that offer “very fair”.
The pilots will strike on 9, 10 and 27 September. British Airways has indicated whether it is possible to use aircraft from other parties on those days, such as sister companies Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus. Nevertheless, the airline believes that many travelers cannot fly on strike days.
