British Airways’ decision to reduce the number of cabin crew on board flights has been upheld by the Court of Appeal.
The airline made the change to staffing levels a year ago, which prompted the union Unite to seek legal action against BA.
The High Court upheld BA’s decision in February, after which the union took the case to the appeal court, which has today (November 4) also ruled in favour of BA.
A BA spokesperson said: “We are pleased with today’s Court of Appeal judgment, confirming that the modest changes we made to onboard crew numbers on flights from Heathrow 12 months ago were reasonable, did not breach crew contracts and can remain in place.
“The changes have made a substantial contribution toward easing the company’s financial position, and our crew have accepted these working arrangements without difficulty.”
BA announced last week that it had returned to the black for the first time in two years.
The airline made a profit before tax of £158 million between April and September 2010. During the same period in 2009, the airline made a loss of £292 million.
Unite has yet to comment on BA’s appeal court victory, but is understood to be in the process of balloting its members on the latest deal to resolve the ongoing dispute and prevent further strikes.
BA cabin crew members have taken strike action for a total of 22 days since March.
The industrial action is thought to have cost BA in the region of £150 million.