The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) has begun briefing City analysts about its dispute with British Airways and how this may affect the airline's operations and profitability should a strike take place.

BALPA begins balloting BA's pilots for strike action today, Thursday 31 January 2008. The ballot ends on Wednesday 20 February. A 'yes' vote is expected.

'It is essential that City analysts know why there is a dispute and what harm BA's intransigence will do to BA's future prospects,' said Jim McAuslan, General Secretary of BALPA. 'The rift between the airline and its 3,000 pilots has come about because BA is determined to break up its pilot workforce when it starts its new subsidiary airline OpenSkies which will fly BA planes from European mainland cities to the USA. We believe these BA planes, serviced largely by BA staff, should be flown by BA pilots and not by pilots from around the world recruited to different standards from BA pilots and formed into a separate pilot body.

'The decision to ballot for strike action was taken by representatives of all pilots, both long haul and short haul, and the decision was unanimous. That shows the strength of feeling. And it is right that the City should know the nightmare that BA directors are sleepwalking into.'