British Airways crew extends wage strike

British Airways cabin crew have extended their industrial action by 14 days, the Unite trades' union said Thursday.

Unite members of the airline's "mixed fleet crew", which includes short- and long-haul staff, began striking on July 1 in an action due to end on July 16. The union announced another 14-day strike from July 19.

"Today's announcement of a further escalation underlines the determination of our members in their fight for better pay and against British Airways' bullying behaviour," Unite National Officer Oliver Richardson said in a statement.

The staff are protesting low wages and measures taken against striking workers, according to the union.

"We are seeing strong support for the ongoing strike action," Richardson said.

In a message on its website, British Airways said it would operate 99.5 percent of scheduled flights and merge a "very small number" of long-haul services to and from London's Heathrow Airport.