British Airways is operating “ghost flights” to train ground staff as cabin crew in order to minimise the potential disruption should strikes go ahead next month. Flights are operating from Heathrow to Cardiff and Glasgow to allow them to gain experience in the air, with colleagues pretending to be passengers.

Unite is going to the High Court in a bid to get the cabin crew changes introduced by British Airways last November overturned. The workers’ union claims that the cost-cutting measures, which included freezing pay and cutting crew on long-haul flights, were imposed without it being properly consulted.

British Airways has unveiled its first ever summer losses as it presented its interim management report for the six months to the end of September. The report revealed an operating loss of £111 million (2008: profit of £140 million) and a pre-tax loss of £292 million.

Following yesterday’s talks with airline management, union leaders representing British Airways workers have urged the company not to impose job cuts, a pay freeze and new terms and conditions, in a bid to avert the threat of strike action.

The Unite union is writing to all British Airways cabin crew, criticising the company’s tactics and highlighting the union’s record on fighting for its members. The move follows BA’s surprise announcement on job cuts, pay deals and working practices. The BA plans are due to be implemented from November 16th.