Unite attempts to block British Airways attempt to lease aircraft from Qatar

The Unite union, which represents British Airways staff, has called on the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to turn down an application by British Airways to wet lease nine Qatari registered A320-family aircraft from Qatar Airways to provide cover for a two-week strike by mixed fleet cabin crew. The union has warned that the lease could be in breach of aviation law, if British Airways was unable to demonstrate that an equivalent level of safety standards would be applied to the aircraft. The 15-day strike will take place from July 1 and 16, where members of the Unite union who work for BA’s “mixed fleet” will walk out in a dispute over pay, cuts in bonus payments and travel concessions.

Commenting Unite national officer Oliver Richardson said: “The Civil Aviation Authority must refuse British Airways’ application to ‘wet lease’ aircraft from outside the European Union as it is doubtful the airline can demonstrate it is compliant with aviation law covering safety.

BA intends to publish its contingency plans shortly.