Pilots threaten Bank Holiday disruption

Travellers looking to leave the UK over the August Bank Holiday weekend could see their hopes dashed as pilots are threatening to strike.

Workers at low-cost carrier bmibaby are being balloted over the possibility of walking out over the Bank Holiday weekend, which would cause chaos for those who had booked flights with the airline.

The threat of industrial action comes after bmibaby offered its pilots a pay increase of 2.4 per cent, an offer which has been branded a "disgrace" by pilots' union, the British Airline Pilots Association (Bapa).

Bapa general secretary, Jim McAuslan claims that the union was "driven" to its decision to ballot for action by the actions of bmibaby.

However, a spokesman for the carrier commented that the firm remains "hopeful its pilots will reject the ballot and accept the award all other employees received".