Today (Wednesday) is the final day of a series of five-day strikes by British Airways cabin crew.
But there remains no sign of an end to the dispute between the airline and the Unite union, despite MPs signing a House of Commons motion yesterday voicing “deep concern” about the absence of a settlement.
Unite is not expected to call further walkouts during the World Cup but has indicated that a ballot on further action later in the summer could still be held. A summer strike could prove even more disruptive for the trade, as agents struggle to rebook flights during the peak months of July and August.
With BA chief executive Willie Walsh intent on maintaining a hardline stance against the union, there appears little end to the longstanding deadlock over pay, working conditions and staffing levels.
BA says it has been able to increase the level of flights being operated from its Heathrow hub the longer the action has gone on. Services from Gatwick and London City Airport have been unaffected.
It has been estimated that the cost of the strike will have reached more than £150 million by the end of today.