“The union has given up the biggest weapon it had in its armoury to force BA to change course,”

said the BBC’s employment correspondent, Martin Shankleman, who believes the announcement raises hopes there could be a negotiated settlement.

Following the High Court ruling that the strike which was planned for the Christmas period was illegal, a new strike ballot will run between 25th January and 22 February.

As said in my blog yesterday, British Airways have sent a letter to staff asking for volunteers to train as replacement cabin crew during any strike.