THE government is being urged to intervene in a dispute between pilots and British Airways (BA) before planned strike action grounds flights.

British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) members are set to walk out next Monday and Tuesday in a row over pay.

BA warned passengers that if they have a flight booked on or around those dates, it is likely that they will not be able to travel as planned.

Downing Street urged both sides in the dispute to “get round the table and sort this out.”

A No 10 spokeswoman said: “Nobody should have their travel plans disrupted or their holidays ruined.

“The unions and BA need to get round the table and sort this out. The public would expect nothing less.”

Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said: “We have offered to get back round the table and have been refused.

“The gap between what we’re asking for and BA is just £5 million, much less than the £40 million it will cost per day of strike action.

“Rooms are available at Acas today and Balpa is willing to talk — where is BA?

“Since they’ve offered, perhaps Downing Street or the Secretary of State for Transport could assist in calling both sides for talks. Balpa would be there.”

BA said it had emailed customers travelling on affected flights next week but urged people to check their flight’s status.

Another strike is planned for September 27.

The airline pledged to contact customers in the next few weeks if their flight is affected.