airline strike, at least for the next seven days.

The news comes amid murmurs of new strike action, but this time by catering staff.

Yesterday, local British Airways manager Philip Troake said that today's flight will take off as scheduled.

And he forecasted clear skies for next week's flight.

"We are back to normal as far as I know,'' Mr. Troake said. "An airplane is ready at Gatwick and I have had no indication of any trouble.

"We are planning for a normal week. As we speak, the union has not advised anyone of any further action. They have to give us seven days notice before any action.'' On Thursday, about 200 passengers were rerouted and rescheduled after strike action, by flight attendants, halted the flight.

The attendants are dissatisfied with working conditions.

Mr. Troake said some of the passengers were rerouted on American Airlines or will travel on today's flight.

The Associated Press reported that British Airways were forced to cancel hundreds of flights worldwide due to the flight attendants' strike.

And yesterday they reported that British Airways had asked striking flight attendants to come up with a counter proposal to its pay plan, saying it would consider any offer that cuts enough operating costs. Talks were due to take place this weekend.

The British Airways was also facing labour troubles on a second front.

The Associated Press said the airline's 9,000 ground workers said Thursday night they had overwhelmingly rejected the company's plans to sell its inflight catering operations.

But union officials said a strike decision, in the catering dispute, will not be made until next week.

Reportedly the new threat from ground workers at British Airways had been brewing for some time.

British Airways said it had to sell its inflight catering operations -- most of the meals are presently prepared by other companies -- because it cannot compete on a cost basis.