British Airways says it has offered unions the option of appointing an independent arbitrator to resolve a stalemate over pay talks and avert strike action at Britain's airports this summer.
British Airways today said it made the offer to unions representing 8,000 ground staff who are voting this week on whether to strike.
"Arbitration will allow our customers to book in confidence with the knowledge that their summer travel plans will not be disrupted," BA director of operations Mike Street said.
Under the proposal, the airline and unions must agree to abide by the final decision of an independent third-party arbitrator who will be nominated by both sides.
A BA spokesman said the unions were still considering the offer.
BA baggage handlers, check-in and administration staff have started voting on whether to strike after unions and management failed to agree on the airline's inflation-only pay increase offer.
BA fears a repeat of last summer's strike by check-in staff at London's Heathrow airport which forced the carrier to scrap about 500 flights, causing travel chaos for more than 100,000 people.
A spokesman for the Transport and General Workers Union, the largest union representing BA staff, was not immediately available for comment.
Shares in BA, which reports monthly traffic statistics later on Wednesday, were 2.2 percent weaker at 223 1/2 pence at midday in a weaker broader market.