BALPA is the Pilots and Flight Engineers trade union and professional association representing members in UK airlines.
BALPA represents well over 75% of all the fixed wing pilots and helicopter aircrew based in the UK – as well as many working overseas.They have a membership of over 10,000 professional flight crew, working in companies large and small.They have over 120 working pilots who come forward and work as Representatives for the association. These reps work on issues within the airline they work for, issues that span all airlines and indeed issues that may affect you as a member of the traveling public.

BALPA works with the Civil Aviation Authority, the Department for Transport, the Department of Trade and Industry and many other bodies where the voice of the pilot’ is needed. We also work with over 20 different airlines to secure and maintain the terms and conditions of our members.There was a brief pilots strike in 1924 about pay, conditions and a particularly abrasive Manager, Major Woods Humphrey. However the trigger which led to the creation of BALPA in the late thirties was the irresponsible attitude of Imperial Airways towards safety issues and particularly the risk of airframe icing on one type.Robert Perkins, a Conservative MP, supported the pilots and initiated a debate in Parliament which led to the formation of the Cadman Committee of Inquiry.

For more information, please visit http://www.balpa.org