UK pilots are fearing redundancy following British Airways' (BA) decision to cancel its freighting contract.

The announcement spells the end of the 12-year relationship between BA's parent company IAG and cargo company Global Supply Systems (GSS). 95 jobs will be put at risk when the contract finishes at the end of April.

IAG said the move is part of a restructuring of its long-haul freight programme and is due to the merger between the cargo operations of BA and Iberia.

General secretary of the British Airline Pilots Association, Rod Lynch commented: "We will be working with GSS to support the workforce through this very difficult period and to minimise the impact of this disappointing decision by IAG."

GSS currently runs three Boeing 747 freighter aircraft on behalf of IAG, delivering cargo to countries such as Hong Kong, India and Germany. The company has announced it will return the aircraft to part-owner Atlas Air once the contract has been terminated.