British Airway's pilots vote to accept pay cut

British Airways pilots have accepted a 2.6% pay cut as part of a package designed to save the company £26m a year.

The British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa) confirmed that 94% of pilots voted in favour of the cost reduction package which also included a reduction of 20% in some allowances.

Jim McAuslan, general secretary of Balpa, said: "This is an unaccustomed position for a union to be in but we have pressure tested the company's trading position and cost base and are satisfied that this step is necessary to help BA recover its position as one of the world's most successful airlines.

"Our members have backed that judgment and are leading the way in contributing to the turn-round plan. The package of measures will be implemented as soon as BA demonstrates delivery of the cost-saving targets across the whole company."