Flybe pilots threaten pay action

More than 700 pilots at airline Flybe today threatened to take industrial action over pay, pensions and working patterns - a week before the company is set to launch its stock market flotation.

The pilots' union, the British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa), said a pay claim submitted to Flybe in February has been ignored, as have concerns over the way the airline organises its flying schedules.

Balpa accused Flybe, which is 15% owned by British Airways, of putting all its resources into its proposed stock market flotation, a process set to start on December 14.

Reg Allen, Balpa head of industrial relations, said: "Unless the company sorts out these problems quickly it could lead to industrial action."

The Exeter-based airline, which employs more than 2,900 people and operates 215 routes across Europe, posted pre-tax profits of £6.8 million in the year to March 31, down from £12.8 million the previous year.