The Vatican has said that in order to avoid the possibility of disruption due to strikes by British Airways’ cabin crew, the Pope will be flying to and from the UK, when he makes his official visit in the autumn, with Alitalia, the Italian state airline. Tradition usually dictates that the Pope flies back to Rome after a tour on board the flag carrier of the country he has just visited.

The recent rejection of a new pay deal by BA staff means that strike action could occur as soon a September, when Benedict XVI is due to make his four-day visit, the first ever official visit to the UK by a Pope. The itinerary includes visiting the Queen in Scotland before heading to Birmingham and London.

A source at BA confirmed that the Vatican had asked for a quote on hiring a Boeing 747 to carry the Pope back to Rome, but heard nothing more after providing a commercial price. The spokesman added that after not hearing back the airline assumed that a rival had given the Pope a better deal.

A source at the Vatican claims that the Church had made attempts to contact BA about hiring a jet for the Pope’s return journey, but said that no one from the airline got back to them.

A source from the British Catholic Church said because the Pope was visiting for such a short period of time, it made economical sense to use Alitalia for the return trip. The source was keen to say that there were no hard feelings towards BA.