As voting commenced in the rerun of November 2009's ballot, the Unite trade union ridiculed British Airline's plans to try and keep operations running even when the strike is going on, while also accusing the carrier of trying to break the walk-out with a handful of volunteers.

Unite's Assistant General Secretary, Len McCluskey, has been openly scornful of the airline's proposal to try and train other staff, including pilots, to work as cabin crew in planes, so as not to disrupt any operations.

"With a cabin crew of 13,500 does BA seriously think this handful of inexperienced individuals will be able to operate a service?", he said.

BA has sent out announcements specifying that the carrier is looking for volunteers who are willing to undergo a basic training course, which would enable it to operate at least some of its 650 daily flights.

"Any temporary crew will be trained to meet all the standards and requirements of British Airways and all regulatory authorities. The safety of our customers and staff is always our over-riding priority and we would never do anything to compromise that", said a BA spokesperson.

The airline has, however, declined to confirm the number of volunteers it has managed to find till now.