On Friday, British Airways reported a record pre-tax loss of £292 million over the past six months in contrast to a profit of £52m for the identical period last year, consequently an added impede for the airline is the fact that it is facing the threat of a strike over the Christmas period.

Counseling the 38,690 staff of the airline about the worst first half results since privatization, the chief executive of the company, Willie Walsh, affirmed further essential cost reductions.

Covering the fall of revenue by 13.7% at £4.1bn as compared with £4.8bn in 2008, despite of deteriorating pound, and lower fuel costs in contrast with the identical period last year, the operating costs were behind by 8.7%, hence BA reports that it plans to reduce its capacity and eliminate almost 4,900 by March 2010, further

"Aviation remains in recession with revenue likely to be £1bn lower this year. All airlines are facing the same pressure. Operational changes at British Airways are absolutely necessary to improve the performance of the business”, said Walsh.

Abortive to award a command against BA cost-cutting measures yesterday, the high court ignited the Unite trade union to herald strike ballot that could bring the airline to a halt from 21 December onwards.

As a consequence, the probable strike in the company may perhaps bring further fatalities to Britain's flag carrier.