British Airways avoids strike action

British Airways today welcomed the decision by the cabin crew branch of the Transport and General Workers' Union to call off the strikes scheduled for today and Wednesday and for two 72-hour periods next month.

Willie Walsh, the airline's chief executive, said: "We are pleased that our negotiations with the T&G have resulted in an agreement that removes the threat of strikes.

"We have always said that our cabin crew do an excellent job and we believe this agreement lays a firm foundation to enable us to provide even higher standards of onboard service for customers in the future.

"Unfortunately, the decision has come too late to prevent disruption to the travel plans of tens of thousands of our customers on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We will endeavour to reinstate as many flights as we can for those days."