BA reportedly sacks 350 pilots

British Airways has reportedly laid off 350 pilots and placed 300 others in a “pool” for re-hire “when needed.” The Sun on Sunday reported that the deal between BA and pilot union The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) is still waiting to be finalised but is a “relief” for the airline, after fears of strikes. “Constructive talks are ongoing with BALPA to save as many jobs as possible,” BA said. This comes shortly after BA announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs and implement pay cuts for 36,000, after experiencing its steepest ever downturn in 2020 as a result of COVID-19. Planes were grounded in March by lockdown measures in an attempt to curb the pandemic. BALPA succeeded in preventing BA from implementing a “last in, first out” policy that would mean workers hired most recently would lose their jobs first. Captains and first officers placed in the pool do not currently have an aircraft to operate on and will remain on half-pay until they are needed again, the report said. Other crew members will take a 15% pay hit, only getting 7.5% back when “pooled” pilots return — up to two years later. The rest of their pay cut will be permanently lost. According to The Sun’s report, the majority of pilots being pooled will be Boeing 747 jumbo jet first officers, and the aircraft, which was a part of BA’s fleet for half a century, will likely be grounded forever.<br/>