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BA slashes premium seat prices for further strikes

British Airways’ business and first class fares are being cut in the face of possible further strike action by cabin crew in August.


The carrier’s sale of premium class seats runs until July 6.


Club World fares have been reduced on long-haul flights to places like Sharm el Sheikh and Montego Bay.


Club Europe price reductions include short-haul flights from London City to new destinations Palma and Ibiza.


First class flights to Barbados from Gatwick or Heathrow have been cut in price as well as flights to Mauritius and Tokyo.


The move comes as cabin crew union Unite prepares for a further strike ballot which could see a fresh walkout in the peak month of the summer.


The ballot opens on June 29 and runs until July 27, meaning that strikes could start on August 3.


Unite has already organised 22 days of strike action costing the airline more than £150 million.


BA chief executive Willie Walsh, who has further angered the union by moving to recruit 1,250 new cabin crew on reduced terms and conditions, said: “Customers can take advantage of these great discounts with confidence.


“We recognise that some may be concerned about the possibility of future disruption but it is our intention to keep flying 100% of our long haul operation throughout the coming months.”


Meanwhile, BA claims that online holiday bookings through its ba.com website have risen by 56% since the introduction of dynamic packaging on the site a year ago. 


BA Holidays managing director Claire Bentley said: “Although there is still strong early booking demand for peak holiday periods such as Easter, half term and Christmas, the new technology has enabled us to meet increasing demand for late deals with a considerable shift to customers booking a break less than seven days before departure.
 
“We have tailored our expanded range of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels to meet all our customers’ needs as well as increasing our range of all-inclusive properties by 70% to meet demand.”


Since the new technology was launched a year ago the number of hotels and resorts available has increased to more than 6,000, including brands such as Accor, Best Western, Fairmont, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental, Marriott, and Starwood as well as small independent hotels.


All-inclusive properties have been added to help support new leisure destinations introduced last year including Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Montego Bay and Sharm el Sheikh.

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