BA strike could ‘lose airline £1.4billion’

The British Airways cabin crew dispute has cost the airline £112million and it could lose £1.4 billion as passengers switch to other carriers, union leaders said today.

Members of Unite stayed on strike for the fourth day of a five-day walkout, with another five-day stoppage due on Saturday.

Talks between managers and the union ended after six hours last night with little sign of a breakthrough. Cabin crew have taken 16 days of strike action since March.

The union claimed the strike was being well supported.

BA says it will increase its schedule during the strikes next week because of "growing numbers" of staff wanting to work as normal.