British Airways Strike to Leave Thousands Stranded

British Airways aircraft at Heathrow Airport in London, Britain 13 November 2009. The result of a ballot on strike action by British Airways cabin crew is expected imminently, union officials announced 14 December 2009. Photo by EPA/BGNES

British Airways says it is exploring "all options" to help it cope with the impact of a planned 12-day strike by cabin crew over the Christmas period, BBC reported.

Up to one million passengers face the prospect of having journeys cancelled during the action by Unite members.

BA is trying to rework flight schedules but is also pondering legal action such as an injunction to stop the walkout.

Cabin crew voted nine to one in favour of strikes from 22 December over job cuts and staffing levels.

The strikes are set to begin on 22 December and run until 2 January following the union ballot, which had an 80% turnout.

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh called the strike "senseless".

"It is very sad that [the union] are seeking to use the Christmas holiday plans and family reunions of hundreds of thousands of people to try to pursue their case," he said.

He said the company would be doing everything it could to limit the effect of the strike action.

"We are going to look at all our options - operational, legal and industrial relations options," he said.

BA has offered passengers who are booked to travel during the strike period - and 48 hours either side of it - the chance to rebook their flights at no extra cost.

Otherwise it said it would inform customers of changes to schedules by e-mail or mobile phone text.

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