BA looks to reduce cabin crew employment costs

British Airways (BA) has held talks with its cabin crew and unions in order to try and reduce employment costs.

The airline has offered a list of 32 cost-cutting proposals to the cabin crew including a temporary pay freeze, a reduction in annual leave and a reduction in bonuses for working long-haul routes.

It is understood that BA, which employs 13,500 cabin crew, wants to reduce its in-flight budget of £567.9 million by £82 million.

BA said that the proposals were only ideas put forward and that no decisions had been made.

A spokesperson said: "We have had no formal response from the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association (BASSA) about the meeting and our talks with them continue."

"Like all airlines, we have been hit by a worsening economic crisis and to respond to this we need to improve productivity and performance across the airline. Our cabin crew trade unions have recognised the scale of the challenges we face and have committed to continuing positive consultation. Rather than present any firm proposals we have put together a list of ideas and opportunities on how we could reduce cabin crew costs."