Hundreds of thousands of British Airways passengers today received the welcome news that their Christmas travel plans will not be thrown into disarray after the High Court blocked a planned 12-day strike. In deeming the cabin crew strike unlawful the court has delivered a humbling blow to the Unite union.

The result of the ban will mean that some 900,000 passengers who have made reservations for travel over the planned strike period from December 22nd  to January 2nd will be saved from last minute panic and inconvenience. Unite, despite the ruling, has stated that it will continue to seek some form of action from cabin staff and intend to poll staff with potential post-Christmas strikes forecasted.

BA was naturally delighted with the court’s decision, where the public found favour with Mrs Justice Cox who deemed a Christmas strike would be too damaging to the industry, particularly given the timing. Executives for the company had earlier this week threatened staff over the proposed move, necessitating a delay in the walkout announcement.

Justice Cox, in handing down her decision, argued that the union ballot breached the 1992 Trade Union Act. The ruling was well received in court and amongst staff who had objected to the walkout. Many of the non-striking staff had agreed to take pay-cuts in a united move to keep the troubled and loss-making carrier in the air. The controversy revolves around the airline’s decision to reduce the number of cabin crew per flight, albeit by just one person.

The news was welcome relief for UK holidaymakers who have seen Scotland’s largest carrier Globespan collapse this week while Eurostar staff are also threatening strikes.