Crunch talks at British Airways are today set to resume as the threat of a strike which could have a devastating impact in Bermuda rumbles on.

Discussions between management and union officials were adjourned on Wednesday afternoon after two days of talking failed to break a deadlock over working conditions.

Thousands of BA cabin crew members are threatening to stage a walkout which could lead to cancellations and major delays on flights between Bermuda and the UK.

Transport and General Workers Union officials (T&G) revealed on Monday their members had backed a strike by 96 percent in a ballot over the past few weeks.

Cabin crew members have vowed to halt hundreds of short and long-haul flights from Gatwick, Heathrow and Glasgow — meaning passengers to and from Bermuda would have to make inconvenient diversions via North America.

Business leaders fear such a move would throw the Island’s vital connection with Europe into temporary disarray and have repeatedly called for BA’s staff and bosses to settle their differences.

Any strike would have to be called within a 28-day period after the ballot, meaning that those affected could include families hoping to take advantage of the February half-term holiday in the UK.

Staff claim managers have capped pay by limiting promotion opportunities and forced them to work while unwell under new sickness absence rules.

BA officials say they remain hopeful a strike can be averted and have stated it is “business as usual” at the moment.

The union would have to give at least seven days notice before a strike could begin.

The dispute comes after threats of wider industrial action over plans to reduce BA’s $4 billion pension deficit, which entailed later retirement for the airline’s 45,000 employees.

However, that part of the row appears to have been resolved after BA Forum — which represents the airline’s four unions — recommended acceptance of suggested changes to the scheme.

BA agreed to make a one-off contribution of $1.5 billion into the fund subject to acceptance of benefit changes.