Virgin pilots vote for action

Virgin Atlantic pilots have voted to go on strike in a row over pay for the first time in the company's history, raising the threat of summer walkouts which would cause travel chaos.

The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said 97 per cent of its members voted in favour of industrial action, with a turnout of 94 per cent. Balpa said the ballot was taken because members had expected a bigger pay deal this year. The union warned that the size of the vote sent a "clear message" to the airline's boss, Sir Richard Branson.