Thousands of holidays later this summer are under threat as airline union Unite announces a new strike ballot for British Airways cabin crew. The vote on whether to commence a new round of walkouts will take place on June 29 with the result due on July 27. If the vote is in favour of a walkout then the first strike could take place just seven days later.

If this happens than the disruption caused will be particularly bad news for those who go on holiday with their families during the school holidays. BA has condemned that announcement and described the move as a selfish lack of consideration for passengers and colleagues.

A spokesman said that Unite was obviously targeting families who holiday in August, but added that if a strike did go ahead, BA would make sure they would fly as many customers as possible.

Since March, BA’s cabin crew has been on strike for a total of 22 days. The industrial action was at first a reaction the airline’s cost cutting plans. However, most of the original problems have been taken care of and the issue has now become mainly about reinstating travel privileges. When the first strikes were announced, Willie Walsh, the airline’s chief executive, announced that cabin crew who tried to hurt BA financially would have privileges revoked. Unite now wants them given back.

Unite has said that the new ballot will centre on the issue of travel perks as well as the suspension of a number of its members from work after the strikes started.