The decision ended a roller-coaster four days of disputes and negotiations over the planned work stoppage, which threatened to further undercut the already beleaguered airline at one of the busiest travel times of the year. The strike was called by angry unions in response to British Airways' cost-cutting decision to reduce cabin crew staffing on most flights. Despite protracted eleventh-hour discussions, Unite, the transport workers' union, persisted in calling the strike from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2. Justice Laura Cox agreed with the airline that the strike ballot was invalid because many votes were cast by members who had left the airline. Although union officials vowed to continue their fight, British Airways management was clearly relieved and optimistic about reviving the company's flagging fortunes. 'It is a decision that will be welcomed by hundreds of thousands of families in the U.K. and around the world,' said the company statement. 'There was never any need for a strike, and we hope that Unite will take this opportunity to reflect before deciding its next steps.' Union leaders threatening another strike vote. That balloting likely could not be held until after Christmas, pushing any potential strike into the new year. 'While we have never wanted this dispute, it is a disgraceful day for democracy when a court can overrule such an overwhelming decision by employees taken in a secret ballot,' union joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley said in a statement. And they warned: '(British Airways) must accept that there can be no resolution except through negotiation, failing which there will inevitably be a further ballot for industrial action.' Around 92 percent of cabin crew members voted to strike, provoking criticism even from members of other unions and officials as well as furious travelers for the timing and length of the proposed action. When hearing of the proposed strike, Toni Harrison from West London called a London radio program in tears and said 'I just want to thank British Airways cabin crew for ruining my holiday, and thousands and thousands of other holidays.' She had planned a family get-together in New York for the past six months. Christmas travelers still face other problems. Friday saw the demise of Scottish airline Flyglobespan, which went into receivership, blocking flights and stranding passengers in Spain, the Canary Island and the Falkland islands, where British military staff were waiting to fly home. Many were saved by other airlines providing emergency holiday flights. However, around 800 employees reportedly face immediate unemployment. The Associated Press reported that other would-be travelers in Britain may yet be affected by threatened 48-hour strikes by baggage handlers in Heathrow and Aberdeen. Stobart is a news assistant in the Times' London bureau. 