British Airways will impose new working conditions on its cabin crew from November 16 if it cannot reach a deal with unions at talks starting on Wednesday.

The airline said last week it would cut 1,700 jobs and reduce crew numbers on most flights. All new cabin crew will be hired on inferior terms and conditions to existing staff. The measures will save about £140m a year, the airline said.

Unite, the union that represents cabin crew, is vehemently opposed to the changes, saying they are an attack on terms and conditions, and risk a “serious confrontation” between company and staff.

The talks will centre on changes BA wants to make to agreements covering what happens to crew when flights are disrupted, with the airline seeking greater flexibility on working hours.

Airline industry insiders say the dispute might become a legal battle. BA insists the changes it is making are not contractual, making legal strike action difficult.

Meanwhile, Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, has told The Sunday Times he is not interested in making another takeover bid for Aer Lingus.

O’Leary said he had little interest in a third bid because of the opposition of the Irish government and because he believed Aer Lingus would run out of cash and be forced into Ryanair’s arms.

“The money will run out in 18 months to two years, and the government will have to accept that Aer Lingus needs a strong parent company, and that parent is Ryanair.”

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