An agreement has been secured by British Airways with its pilots’ union in a bid to avert the threat of strikes.
A deal in principle has been agreed with the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa), which will now be put to members with a recommendation from the union.
Balpa general secretary Martin Chalk said: “Members in BA have suffered a prolonged period of pay deductions following the Covid pandemic.
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“Following long and difficult negotiations, Balpa has now negotiated an agreement in principle to remove this pay cut and deliver a pay increase in 2022 whilst paving the way for pay negotiations for 2023.
“This agreement will now be recommended to our members to accept.”
The agreement is thought to deliver an overall 4% increase this year.
BA is one of a number of European carriers that have faced strikes or the threat of disruption this year as travel demand has surged following the easing of travel restrictions.
The carrier struck a deal with check-in staff and engineers last month to avoid industrial action.
BA saw operational issues over the summer peak as staff shortages resulted in the carrier cutting its schedule.
The curb on flights is extended into the winter timetable with 10,000 return flights from Heathrow cut.
A BA spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have agreed a pay proposal in principle with Balpa, which will now be put to members with a recommendation from the union.”
Parent company IAG said last week that operating profits from the summer peak quarter to September 30 were expected to be in the region of €1.2 billion against a loss during the pandemic at the same time last year.