British Airways back in court

British Airways will be back in court today facing a legal challenge by pilots over holiday pay.

The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) is taking the airline to the Supreme Court in the latest stage of a long-running campaign by the union to secure holiday pay for pilots based on what they earn rather than on just their basic pay without allowances.

The union argues that at present a BA pilot on holiday will take home less pay than if he or she was working - something it said is unheard of in other businesses and industries.

The difference between the holiday pay the average BA pilot should receive and the actual amount is £600 (€684.69), Balpa claimed.

The union won an employment tribunal case on the issue in 2006 but BA later won an appeal. Now Balpa is taking the case to the Supreme Court in a hearing expected to last two days.

"The court's decision will have a momentous impact on civil aviation in the UK," said Balpa general secretary Jim McAuslan, adding that action is also being taken against other airlines.

The union said 12,000 pilots and 30,000 cabin crew are affected by today's case.

BA said: "We were pleased with the Court of Appeal decision in favour of British Airways last year.

"We have always been of the view that our holiday pay arrangements are generous and comply with legislative requirements. We will continue to resist the claim strongly."

BA has been in court twice in recent months in a separate dispute with Unite over cabin crew jobs and working conditions.