BA trains 6,000 volunteer workers to beat cabin crew strike

London: British Airways is training 6,000 volunteer workers and has lined up as many as 23 planes from private firms in a bid to beat threatened strike action from cabin crew.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said the action was being taken so that “a strike will not ground this airline.”

He said 4,000 staff did not vote in favour of strikes, and that with the 6,000-strong volunteer army - believed to include 1,000 pilots - BA could run a service.

The airline, which flies 21 times a week from the UAE, will pay for thousands of passengers to fly with rival airlines if their flight is hit by strikes.

BA says it will be able to operate a substantial service from London Heathrow in the event of a strike, but added it could fulfill all flights from London City Airport, and long-haul services from Gatwick.

To fill in as many cancellations as possible at Heathrow, the airline has a plan to bring in 23 fully crewed chartered aircraft from firms in Britain and Europe.

Those who cannot be provided with an alternative flight will be allowed to rebook for free or be given a full refund.