BALPA's British Airways members are to strike on 9, 10 and 27 September. The UK pilot union says its attempts to resolve an industrial dispute with IAG-owned BA have been rebuffed. The airline's latest offer is unacceptable to BALPA members, it adds. "In these circumstances, with a 93% vote in favour of taking industrial action, and with no prospect of any further meaningful talks, we have no choice but to call this action," says the union. BA responds that it is "completely unacceptable" for BALPA to disrupt the travel plans of tens of thousands of passengers. "We are extremely sorry that after many months of negotiations, based on a very fair offer, BALPA has decided on this reckless course of action," says the airline. As a result of the strike, BA is looking to amend its schedules to maintain as many flights as possible, although it is "likely that many of our customers will not be able to travel". It is also examining the possibility of wet-leasing capacity and crew from other airlines, as well as scheduling larger aircraft from its partner airlines. Flights on BA CityFlyer, Sun-Air and Comair are not affected, BA stresses.

Source: FlightGlobal

Cathay Pacific has warned its employees against taking part in a planned protest at its main headquarters on 26 August. This was because an injunction order obtained by the Airport Authority Hong Kong to restrict protests at Hong Kong International Airport also covered the nearby Cathay City, which is the airlines main operations hub. The Airport Authority Hong Kong was on 23 August granted an extension of an interim injunction meant to restrict protests. The injunction restrains protesters from "unlawfully and wilfully obstructing or interfering with the proper use" of the airport. The operator states that blocking roads connecting to the airport might constitute as such an act. Stressing that Cathay City includes “facilities that are absolutely critical for our flight operations”, the Oneworld carrier adds in its latest statement: “Any activities that impact our ability to operate safely not only significantly disrupt the travelling public, but also jeopardise the safety of our customers and our employees, while also damaging Hong Kong’s economy and the reputation of Hong Kong International Airport.” Hong Kong’s Confederation of Trade Unions had organised the planned protest, which came after the airline sacked the head of one of its flight attendant unions. It was previously reported that Rebecca Sy was given the chop over her social media posts, including one which expressed outrage over the resignation of ex-Cathay chief Rupert Hogg and former customer and commercial chief Paul Lo. Cathay states in its latest statement that it was aware of the planned protest but adds that it took a “zero-tolerance approach to any support for or participation in illegal protests, violent activities or overly radical behaviour.”

Source: FlightGlobal

A helicopter and an ultralight plane have collided mid-air in Mallorca, killing at least seven people. The crash took place near Inca, in the north of the popular tourist island off the coast of mainland Spain. Two of the victims were under 18, the regional government said. Five of the victims, including the two minors, were on board the helicopter, while the two others were travelling in the ultralight, a type of small aircraft with a maximum of two seats. Regional President Francina Armengol said emergency teams were working at the scene and one of the regional government's ministers had been dispatched. Local newspaper Diario De Mallorca said the collision happened in the air over the Inca Hospital at about 13:36 local time (12:36 GMT). Photos made available from the local fire service showed wreckage from the aircraft in the town. The tail section of one landed on a road, while another photo showed twisted and blackened metal on fire in a garden. Spanish media outlet La Sexta said the wreckage had landed in a nearby farm. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed "solidarity and sympathies" with the victims.

Source: BBC News