The threat of serious disruption to Easter travel plans has resurfaced with the breakdown of talks aimed at averting a strike at British Airways.

The negotiations between the airline and its pilots ended late on Friday. Pilots have already voted for a strike, but yesterday gave no indication when they might take action. They must give seven days' notice. Easter, when 400,000 people typically use BA’s main bases at Heathrow and Gatwick, is in a fortnight’s time.

The airline will seek a High Court injunction to stop the strike. “If strike dates are issued, we will act to protect our customers by applying for an injunction,” it said.

The two sides spent last week in talks at Acas, the conciliation service, in attempt to resolve a long-running dispute over the creation of a new “airline within an airline.” Open Skies, as the new BA company is called, will fly from direct from Continental cities to America.

The row is over BA’s plans to use a separate group of pilots for the new venture. They would be paid less than BA’s main body of pilots, and not form part of the company’s seniority system. BALPA, the pilots’ union, fears it will be a “Trojan Horse” to erode pay and conditions, with flights being outsourced from BA’s mainline operations.

“Despite BALPA’s willingness to accept the terms and conditions proposed by BA to ensure the establishment of the new OpenSkies service, BA was not prepared to provide the employment security and career development opportunities which are at the heart of the dispute,” the union said.

Both sides were this weekend consulting lawyers over the court action, which insiders say may take place this week.

“We have made ourselves available to talk with BALPA at any time in order to find a peaceful solution,” BA said.

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