The union representing British Airways cabin crew has won an appeal against an injunction which blocked strike action.
Two out of three judges in the Court of Appeal in London allowed an appeal brought by Unite against a ruling in favour of BA on Monday by Mr Justice McCombe in the High Court.
His decision to grant an injunction halted action by thousands of members of Unite in a bitter row over jobs, pay and staffing levels.
Granting of the order to BA gave a reprieve for passengers who had faced weeks of travel chaos.
But the decision drew furious criticism from union leaders, who described it as an 'absolute disgrace'.
Unite will now resume its planned strikes, probably from next Monday, following its victory in court today.
Unite originally announced four five-day stoppages from May 18-22 inclusive, then from May 24-28, May 30-June 3 and June 5-9, the last strike ending just days before the start of the football World Cup in South Africa.
A group of Unite activists cheered loudly outside the High Court in central London when they heard the decision. BA said: 'We are very disappointed for our customers that Unite's appeal has been upheld and that the union intends to go ahead with its unjustified and pointless strikes.'
