BA expects to operate 90 percent of long-haul flights as union appeals strike injunction
By APTuesday, May 18, 2010
BA says 90 percent of long-haul flights to operate
LONDON — British Airways says it expects to operate 90 percent of its long-haul flights after a court decided its cabin crews weren’t allowed to strike.
The airline originally anticipated running about 60 percent of its long-haul flights but revised the figure Tuesday morning. About half of the airline’s short-haul services are expected to operate.
Britain’s High Court decided Monday that a planned strike by cabin crews was unlawful because of irregularities with the union’s ballot. The injunction stopped a walkout — planned for 20 days over May and June — just hours before it was due to begin.
Unite joint secretary Derek Simpson called the court’s decision “nonsense,” saying it was based on the fact the union didn’t inform members that 11 ballots had been spoiled.
