Sir Richard Branson warns striking pilots their action may leave an indelible scar on the airline
VIRGIN Atlantic boss Sir Richard Branson has warned pilots their planned strikes could inflict an “indelible scar” on his airline.
Writing in The Times today, the company president says he may be unwilling to bail out the airline if its balance sheet is hurt by “self-inflicted” wounds.
His warning, which is his first intervention in the dispute, comes as the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) prepares to announce hard-hitting strike dates for peak summer times.
In an open letter to Virgin’s 750 pilots, 85 per cent of whom belong to the union, Sir Richard says: “Unless Balpa withdraws its threat very soon, it will leave an indelible scar on the company, it will affect jobs and make it very difficult for the company to afford the current offer on the table.”
Pilots have been offered a pay rise of four per cent this year and three per cent in 2012 and 2013.
Last week pilots, who earn up to £130,000 at Virgin, voted by 97 per cent in favour of strikes.