British Airways could round off its “annus horribilus” mired in industrial action.
A yes vote would pave the way for industrial action at any time from December 21, creating chaos for both the airline and passengers during one of the busiest weeks of the year.
The prospect of action grew after talks between BA and leaders of workers union Unite broke down last week.
Last year the airline carried 1.6 million people over the Christmas break. Any industrial action would mean the cancellation of flights, wrecking passengers’ travel plans.
Strike would also come as a bitter financial blow to cash-strapped BA. When flights are cancelled, it would normally offer a refund, travel on an alternative date or rebook customers on another carrier.
However the latter option would prove a mad chase for the few available seats at a peak holiday period.
Even if cabin crew stop short of an all-out strike, any industrial action will still cause considerable disruption to the airline’s operations.
It would leave planes and crew in the wrong place, triggering a wave of further cancellations and delays even on days when industrial is not taking place.
However Willie Walsh, BA’schief executive, has said that the airline is facing a fight for survival at a time when the aviation industry as a whole has faced its worst crisis since September 11.