A UK court yesterday ruled that a planned strike by British Airways cabin crew could not go ahead.

Unite, the union that represents BA's cabin crew, threatened to strike from December 22 to January 2 in protest against new working practices imposed by the airline.

But BA challenged the validity of a ballot that showed more than 12,000 flight attendants were in favour of a strike and citing "irregularities" in the ballot results, the airline sought a court injunction to prevent the strike from going ahead.

BA claimed that Unite's ballot results were illegal because 800 cabin crew who had taken voluntary redundancy from the company were included in the thousands who voted.

After two days in London's High Court, a judge yesterday imposed an injunction against the strike.

Many Bermudians who planned to travel to the UK over the holidays were left frustrated and confused after the strike was announced on December 14.

"It has been a frustrating few days," said one Bermudian booked to fly through Heathrow on December 23. "I would have lost a lot of money booking an alternative route if this strike had gone through.

"My husband and I are travelling to see his parents over the Christmas holiday. This could have ruined our holiday and my parents-in-law's holiday too. Needless to say I am extremely relieved that the strike won't be happening."

BA spokeswoman in Bermuda Sallie Singleton also said that she was relieved. "We, and much of the staff around the world, are all absolutely delighted that we didn't see thousands of Christmases ruined," she said.

"I know many of our customers were very anxious and constantly checking for updates online and through the media. I think there was a great sigh of relief all over the world once the injunction was declared."

Meanwhile Unite said it was disappointed with the High Court verdict and threatened further action.

Unite joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley said: "While we have never wanted this dispute it is a disgraceful day for democracy when a court can overrule such an overwhelming decision by employees taken in a secret ballot.

"We will of course be studying the judgement, but the fact remains that this dispute is not settled.

"Given the clear mood of cabin crew about management's imposition of changes on their working lives, this means that the spectre of further disruption to the company's operations cannot be removed. Only a negotiated agreement can do that."