Flights between Bermuda and the UK look to have avoided cancellations after a last-gasp deal was struck to call off a strike.

Thousands of cabin crew had vowed to bring chaos to British Airways services with a series of three-day walkouts in a bitter row over pay and conditions.

Action would have forced Bermuda passengers to and from London to make inconvenient diversions via North America today, tomorrow and on each of the next two Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Business leaders said the move would have thrown the Island?s vital connection with Europe into

disarray.

However, following talks between union bosses and BA officials, the strike was cancelled yesterday.

BA last night said it was expecting to provide a full service today and tomorrow. People who made alternative arrangements in light of the strike threat should contact BA or their travel agent if they want to reclaim their place on their original flight.

The deal was finally agreed after more than 120 hours of talks between the company and the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G).

T&G secretary Tony Woodley described the negotiations as ?difficult?. He said: ?We have had to try to solve a multitude of problems that have built up over a long period of time.

?We have managed to get an agreement that lays to rest some of our cabin crew?s complaints about the way sickness absence was being managed.?

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: ?I am really proud of the work our cabin crew do and this agreement will allow us to build for a much stronger future. It is a positive outcome.?