British Airways is being sued for more than £250,000 by 16 pilots after claiming that they strained their necks as they turned to check cockpit cameras for terrorists.
The group is reported to have told a court that they were required frequently to strain their necks when cabin crew asked to be allowed on to the flight deck.
BA has denied liability and told the court that it did not breach its duty to keep the pilots safe from injury. The company is also contesting the size of the pilots’ claims.
The airline implemented the three-camera security system after the September 11 terror attacks on the US. They were designed to prevent attackers from invading cockpits by giving pilots a clear camera view of anyone buzzing to enter.
But lawyers for the pilots have said in papers submitted to central London county court that the screens displaying those outside the cockpit should have been positioned at the front of the cabin. If they had, pilots would not have to crane their necks, according to the claim, reported by The Times.
The group is suing for individual compensation payments ranging from £10,000 to £100,000. Lawyers for the pilots have told the court that there could also be health and safety issues if pilots were to suffer an injury mid-flight owing to twisting neck muscles.
They claimed that some of the pilots were forced to transfer to flying different jets owing to the effects of their injuries.
Former captain Jonathan Parry is reported as leading the pilots who have claimed that they were left with painful neck and spinal conditions after constantly swivelling to check a CCTV screen at the rear of the cockpit.
Parry, of Camberley in Surrey, joined BA in 2006 after leaving the Royal Navy. He flew Boeing 757s and 767s for the airline until 2014.
The case reached court last week for a pre-trial hearing. No date has been fixed for the full trial.
BA said it never comments on ongoing litigation.