British Airways is entering the second day of its three day strike. After the bitter arguments over pay and conditions that prompted the cabin crew walk out, the battle of words is now over the impact of the strike.

At London’s Heathrow airport, British Airways reported about 50 per cent of crew turned up for work, while Gatwick and London’s City airport operated as normal. Unite, the union behind the strike, dispute those figures, while passengers are split in their opinions.

“There’s no need for it. It’s just causing upheaval and I think it will just destroy BA,” said one.

A woman said: “They are being spat at in the streets, the crews, and people shouting abuse at them. It’s their right to go on strike and they should be able to go on strike.”

BA say they intend to fly an additional 17 flights but refused to confirm reports they had been forced to cancel 1,100 out of 1,950 flights.

And in the background to the strike action the political arguments are gathering force just weeks before a general election.

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