British Airways pilots set to vote on improved pay offer after months of talks

Airlines Following the technical problems at NATS ATC is forced to file flight plans manually
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The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has confirmed that after months of negotiations with British Airways its members will vote on an improved pay offer.  

British Airways pilots who are members of BALPA are due to be balloted in the coming weeks, according to the union. 

BA bosses hope that the new terms will avert any threat of strike action which would have serious ramifications for the airline.  

The agreement between BA and BALPA would bind pilots to the condition set out until 2027.  

“Following several months of negotiation with British Airways, the company has put forward an offer which BALPA will put to its members via a ballot in the coming weeks. This is the usual procedure following a pay offer and any agreement will only be finalized subject to the outcome of a member ballot,” BALPA told AeroTIme.  

According to Sky News, BA pilots will receive a 4% pay rise this year backdated to June. Then in December this would rise by a further 1.5%, followed by another 2% in June 2024 and 2% more six months later. 

In March 2025 BA pilots will see their pay increase by another 0.5%, then a further 2.5% in June 2025 and finally another 2.5% in June 2026. 

Sky News were also told by a source close to the negotiations that BA pilots will receive a one-off payment of $1,200 (£1,000) in November 2023. 

“We are pleased that we have now reached an agreement in principle for the pilot pay award 2023-27. The British Airline Pilots’ Association will now ballot its members on the agreement in principle. The pay offer builds on a number of pay and reward changes made in 2022 to support colleagues throughout the business at a time of ongoing cost of living pressures,” a BA spokesperson told AeroTime.