British Airways hit by fresh strikes

British Airways cabin crew launched a fresh wave of strikes yesterday, digging in for a series of walkouts as the airline cancelled a number of flights disrupting travel for passengers.

Members of Unite mounted picket lines at Heathrow Airport at the start of a five-day stoppage after hopes of resolving their bitter row with the company collapsed.

The union said the action was "strongly supported" and clashed with BA over the effect of the strike on flights. BA said it operated more than 60 per cent of its long-haul programme and more than 50 per cent of short-haul flights from Heathrow, while services from Gatwick and London City ran as normal.

More than 60,000 customers will travel with BA every day this week despite the industrial action, the airline said.

BA had to axe three of its Heathrow to New York flights yesterday and also cancelled one of its two Heathrow-Miami services. Other cancellations included five of the nine Heathrow to Milan services, four Heathrow-Paris flights and two Heathrow-Madrid flights.

Domestic service cancellations included eight Heathrow to Manchester flights and seven Manchester to Heathrow services.

Meanwhile, leaders of BA pilots described as "nonsense" suggestions from the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association (Bassa) that a deal could not be done because they objected to travel perks being restored to staff who went on strike in March.