British Airways and the pilots’ union BALPA are close to agreeing a long-term pay deal.

Sky News reported on Thursday that BA was ‘applying the finishing touches’ to a three-and-a-half-year deal after months of negotiation.

The deal includes a 4% pay rise this year backdated to June, a one-off payment of £1,000 in November, followed by further pay rises over the next three years, as well as participation in a new reward scheme based on operating profit, Sky reports.

The next pilot pay review will take place in January 2027.

A BA spokesperson said: “We are pleased that we have now reached an agreement in principle for the pilot pay award 2023-27. The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) will now ballot its members on the agreement in principle.

 “The pay offer builds on a number of pay and reward changes made in 2022 to support colleagues throughout the business at a time of ongoing cost of living pressures.”