The union, which claims to represent 70% of the airline’s pilots, withdrew its ballot yesterday (August 18) following what it called Virgin Atlantic’s “commitment” to “reopen and progress recognition talks”.

According to the PPU, the move came after two “de-escalation meetings” attended by both parties.

The ballot, which had been due to conclude on August 17, was for action short of a strike through the withdrawal of pilot goodwill – which may encompass actions such as work to rule and refusal to work overtime.

As balloting was halted early, no votes will be counted and the process suspended.

The union had initially decided to offer its members the vote against Virgin Atlantic due to the airline not officially recognising the organisation.

It has now said Virgin Atlantic has provided “written commitment” to negotiate the legitimacy of the union through a sole voluntary agreement, something the PPU says it has been “seeking for almost two years”.

Talks will now take place between Virgin Atlantic, the PPU and current incumbent union, the British Airline Pilots Association.

If a sole voluntary recognition agreement is reached, the PPU would become the sole union representing pilots within the airline.

A PPU spokesperson said: “The PPU welcomes the commitment of Virgin Atlantic to recognising the PPU, and has withdrawn the ballot on this basis, and in good faith.

“We look forward to beginning negotiations and to achieving democratic recognition for our members, who between them make up the vast majority of the Virgin Atlantic pilot workforce.”