British Airways staff goes on second strike

The four-day strike is set to run until March 30.

While BA expects to fly over 75% of passengers during the walkout, some 17,000 are said to have been affected by strike cancelations.

In line with what the company describes as "the biggest contingency plan in our history," which is aimed at limiting the impact of the strikes, Gatwick airport and London City airport will be unaffected by the walkout.

The company said that at least 70% of long-haul flights and 55% of short-haul flights at Heathrow airport are also due to operate normally as thousands of Brits are getting ready to head abroad for the Easter holidays.

Last week, a total of 12,000 BA employees walked out for three days after the failure of last-minute talks between the loss-making airline and the Unite union.

The company's losses from canceled tickets and the lease of several fully crewed planes from other air carriers are estimated at 21 million pounds (over $31 million).

The union pledged more strikes after April 14 if the sides fail to come to terms.

The Unite union, which represents BA staff, has accused the company's chief executive Willy Walsh of "breaking" its power, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.