Pilots’ union has new leader

Airline pilots’ union BALPA has appointed former British Airways pilot Captain Martin Chalk as general secretary following an affirmative ballot of members. He takes over the permanent leadership role at the union after a three-month stint as the acting general secretary.

He succeeds Brian Strutton who served in the role from 2016 till he stepped down in May at the end of his five-year term.

Captain Chalk takes over at a difficult time for the airline industry, and the union has lost many members over the pandemic period. Nevertheless, he pledged to “work hard… to ensure that every professional who can be a member, is a member”.