BRITISH Airways' return to Gatwick airport is a step closer after a pilots union yesterday signed off a new agreement with the airline, after union members agreed to a ballot to decide whether to back up the establishment of a BA lower-cost subsidiary operating from Crawley.

It's a swift u-turn for the British flag carrier reversing a decision to ditch the airport altogether after pilots couldn't be persuaded to vote on a new, reportedly lower, pay deal.

Shares in budget carrier EasyJet, which operates dozens of short-haul flights from the West Sussex airport closed down 2.5 per cent.

"Balpa and British Airways have concluded an important new agreement covering revised pay and working hours for British Airways pilots operating short-haul operations at Gatwick," said the union's acting secretary Martin Chalk.

BA will now consult other stakeholders before any relaunch.

"We will continue discussions with our colleagues, trade unions, suppliers and other stakeholders, following this positive result, and if we can agree a way forward with all parties, we would hope to begin operations next summer."

Balpa's ballot is the second to take place in the space of a few weeks, after the union initially voted against BA's plan for competing with low-cost carriers such as EasyJet.

On 23 September, union members motivated their decision in terms of not being able to reach an acceptable agreement with BA.

After receiving the ballot's results, the airline decided against reinstating most of its Gatwick operations, which had not been running since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

"While we have been actively pursuing alternative uses for our slots, last week Balpa asked us to resume negotiations," said a BA spokesperson.

"These talks were constructive, addressed key concerns and have secured the efficiencies required. Balpa is now taking a new proposal to its members."

The aviation sector last night was boosted by news that scores of countries will be removed from the UK travel "red list".

(c) 2021 City A.M., source Newspaper