BA claims to have flown 75% of passengers over the weekend

British Airways said it met its pledge to fly 75% of its booked customers during the second strike over the weekend as more cabin crew chose to opt out of industrial action.

An airline spokeswoman said about 930 flights were operated over the weekend, carrying more than 119,000 passengers. This compared to 730 flights operated over the previous strike weekend when 86,000 passengers were flown.

She added the increase was down to 63% of cabin crew reporting for duty, as opposed to 57% during the previous strike. The move to British Summer Time over the weekend also meant BA’s summer service kicked in, bringing more flights with it.

However, Unite, the union which represents BA cabin crew, disputed the figures, claiming that on Saturday more than 50% of cabin crew walked out to join the strike.

The figures come as a row broke out between politicians over the weekend over the prime minister’s handling of the strike so far.

Speaking on Sunday, David Cameron accused Gordon Brown of weakness in his handling of both the BA strike and the proposed railway signallers strike, which is due to start after Easter.

Cameron said the Labour government was unable to stand up to the unions having received £11 million in donations from Unite.

However, Labour MP and schools secretary Ed Balls accused the Tory leader of being confrontational and warned his attitude could lead to violent clashes with the unions.

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