There is growing optimism at Heathrow airport that planned strike action by British Airways' cabin crew could be averted.
Some 1,000 members of Bassa - a branch of the Unite union - were told yesterday (February 25) at a meeting Kempton Park racecourse that an agreement with BA bosses was looking increasingly possible.
Cabin crew last week voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action as part of an ongoing dispute with company bosses about pay and conditions.
By law, the Unite union must give seven days notice before starting any industrial action, while it must also act within 28 days of the strike ballot result. Having already pledged not to disrupt the Easter holiday period, the window of opportunity for strike action is closing quickly, and shuts on March 22.
A source close to the negotiations told ABTN that talks started to progress after factions of the Unite union started to speak with a "collective voice".
Business travellers have had to decide whether or not to remain loyal to BA amid the uncertainty caused by the threat of industrial action.
A number of travellers are known to have switched to other carriers to avoid disruption, while some BA Executive Club cardholders have been redeeming airmiles to fly on partner airlines.
Travel management companies are preparing contingency plans for clients.
A statement on the Bassa website said strike action was "still very much on the cards" while bosses at BA's Waterside HQ have said that though negotiations were advancing the threat of industrial action was still "very real".