BA warns of cancellations as four-day strike ends

British Airways warned passengers to expect cancellations today as cabin crew returned to work following the end of a four-day strike.

The airline said all flights at Gatwick and London City airports would operate as normal, with the knock-on impact at Heathrow “far less than anticipated” due to the numbers that came to work over the last four days.

Chief executive Willie Walsh also maintained his combative stance against trade union Unite, taking out newspaper adverts saying the union had failed to ground the airline and that “well over” 80% of customers originally booked for travel during the strike period had flown.

He said that more than 60% of cabin crew had ignored the strike call, adding: “We have seen a fantastic effort by dedicated staff across British Airways to keep the flag flying.”

Mr Walsh also indicated the carrier’s position would not change, saying: “We have put a fair and sensible offer to the union, and I hope it will now allow its members to vote on it.

“Let us work together to create an airline that can invest in better services for our customers and provide long-term opportunities for all our staff.”

Leaders of the carrier’s striking cabin crew last night called for fresh talks to resolve the bitter dispute over jobs and cost cutting.

Hundreds of strikers held a noisy rally yesterday in central London to mark the end of the four-day walkout which has cost the company tens of millions of pounds and disrupted travel for thousands of passengers.

Unite has pledged not to hold any strikes over Easter, giving a window of opportunity for negotiations to try to break the deadlocked row and avert any more industrial action.

Tony Woodley, joint leader of Unite, told the strikers gathered outside the TUC headquarters, they had “solidly” supported the action and now deserved a decent settlement.

“We want British Airways to come back to the table. We have an opportunity now in the next few days or even weeks over Easter to negotiate a deal that you are willing and prepared to buy into.”

Mr Woodley attacked Mr Walsh for being “vindictive” in withdrawing travel perks from cabin crew who went on strike, saying the move was “completely unnecessary.”

Union officials said any deal will now have to include the return of travel concessions.