Talks could avert festive pilot strike

The union representing pilots at Virgin Atlantic is seeking talks in a bid to avert a series of strikes over Christmas and the new year. Members of the Professional Pilots Union are set to walk out from 22-25 December and again between 30 December and 7 January in a dispute over union recognition.

Virgin Atlantic has said the union only represented a small number of its pilots, stressing its priority was to ensure all its customers can continue their journeys as planned this Christmas.