British Airways has failed in its attempt to stop pilot strikes planned for August, following a High Court ruling on Tuesday, July 23. There is overwhelming support for the strike among BA pilots. with 93 percent recently voting in favour. Balpa, the pilots’ union, said that it would give two weeks notice of strike action and would continue talks with BA’s management, giving it “one last chance.”

Balpa’s general secretary, Brian Strutton, said: “The company itself has admitted that even one day of strike action would cost more than what our pilots are asking for, so the ball really is in their court here, to look after their pilots and ensure the hardworking public get to continue their holidays as planned.”

A BA spokesman said: “We are very disappointed with today’s decision. We will continue to pursue every avenue to protect the holidays of thousands of our customers this summer.”

Pilots are seeking a pay rise above the rate of inflation, claiming that BA’s profits have recovered following the financial crisis.

Meanwhile, airport workers at Heathrow will start a series of walkouts on Friday, July 26, just a few days after the start of the state school holidays in the UK, the airports busiest period of the year. Heathrow’s chief executive warned of longer queues through security.