Virgin Atlantic pilot talks adjourned

Talks aimed at averting industrial action by pilots at Virgin Atlantic in a row over days off were adjourned after a “good exchange of views”.

The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said “some progress” was made at yesterday’s meeting, which will be resumed at a later date.

The row flared over the number of rostered days off pilots were allowed to take, with the union accusing Virgin of denying staff their full entitlement.

Jim McAuslan, general secretary of Balpa, said before the talks started: “Balpa always does what it can to assist airlines through downturns, as many airlines will testify, and we did this with Virgin during these past difficult years.

“To now find that the company is breaching an agreement and denying many pilots their entitlement to the equivalent of a weekend off is a real slap in the face and one which we cannot accept.”

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: “We have had constructive talks with our pilots’ representatives and have presented a clear proposal to clarify the issue.

“We recognise the significant contribution that our pilots make to our business and are pleased that we have been able to respond to their concerns in this way.”