Flights to and from England could be affected after it emerged yesterday that British Airways pilots voted to strike in a long-running dispute over pay.

The British Airlines Pilots Association said industrial action was supported by more than nine to one, with a 90 per cent turnout.

A spokeswoman for BA Bermuda said no strike dates had been published by the union so schedules remained unchanged.

Balpa hoped that the dispute could be resolved.

Brian Strutton, the union’s general secretary, said: “We do not wish to inconvenience our customers, which is why we have tried to resolve this matter through negotiation starting last November.

“It is BA who has regrettably chosen to drag this out into the summer months.”

The airline was expected to seek a High Court injunction to halt industrial action today.

It said in a statement: “British Airways is very disappointed that the pilots’ union, Balpa, has chosen to threaten the travel plans of thousands of our customers, over the summer holidays, with possible strike action.

“The company remains open to working with Balpa to reach an agreement, which it has been doing since December.”

BA said a proposed pay deal of 11.5 per cent over three years was fair and other trade unions, which represented nearly 90 per cent of employees, had already recommended the offer to their members.

The company added: “British Airways continues to pursue every avenue to find a solution to protect customers’ travel plans and avoid industrial action, and urges Balpa to return to talks as soon as possible.”