97% of Virgin pilots vote to go on strike in row over 4% pay rise offer

Virgin Atlantic pilots have voted by a massive 97 per cent to go on strike in a row over pay, raising the threat of summer walkouts which would cause huge disruption.

The British Airline Pilots Association said there was a 94 per cent turnout in a ballot, called in protest at a 4 per cent pay offer.

The union held back from naming strike dates, but warned that the size of the vote sent a "clear message" to the airline's boss Sir Richard Branson.

General secretary Jim McAuslan said it was the first time Virgin pilots had voted to take industrial action, adding that he was happy to meet Sir Richard any time, anywhere, to try to head off strikes,

"My messages are simple: pilots do not want to strike and are hugely disappointed by the company's approach," he said.

"There has been no UK pilot strike for 32 years, but there comes a time when even moderate people say: 'Enough.'"