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Bloomberg
British Airways (BA) lost a UK court bid to halt a pilot strike, in a ruling that may clear the path for walkouts at the height of the busy summer travel season.
Wednesday’s decision raises the risk of the airline’s first pilot strike in about four decades, in a dispute about pay, profit
sharing and a stock-awards programme. Brian Strutton, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots Association, said the union will resume talks with the airline within hours. He said he hopes an agreement can be reached to avoid strikes.
A strike would add to what’s already shaping up to be a difficult summer for British holiday-makers. The pound has slumped amid growing fears of a no-deal Brexit, leaving tourists with less to spend on their trips, and airlines have been hit by flight cancellations due to air traffic controller staff shortages. Ryanair Holdings Plc’s UK pilots are also weighing possible strike action.
Walkouts by cockpit crews are disruptive to airlines because they can ground flights. Strikes at BA may threaten its attempts to cut costs and compete with discount rivals such as EasyJet and Norwegian Air. Walkouts at BA could potentially begin in mid-August, because unions are required to give two weeks’ notice.