The Unite union said British Airways cabin crew's four-day strike would go ahead and that no peace talks were set for today, as travellers brace themselves for more travel chaos before the busy Easter holiday period.
"No talks are set and strikes begin again on Saturday," a Unite spokeswoman said.
"We remain in touch with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) regarding the possibility of talks but nothing is planned at present. All BA strike-breaking statistics should not be regarded as credible after last weekend's smokescreen."
BA put a proposal forward last Friday, which it said could form the basis of an agreement, but has since refused to put the initial offer back on the negotiating table or reinstate travel perks it has taken away from strikers.
Earlier today BA's chief executive Willie Walsh said he was ready to meet unions to discuss a dispute with cabin crew but had no plans to do so before the new strike begins.
The dispute, coupled with plans by transport workers to hold Britain's first national rail strike in 16 years in April, have created a headache for British prime minister Gordon Brown, whose Labour Party faces a battle to win re-election in the next few weeks.
Mr Walsh said the airline would fly three-quarters of the passengers booked with BA over the weekend.
Shares in BA were 0.6 per cent lower at 252.5 pence by 11.35am, against a 0.3 per cent fall in the FTSE 100, valuing the airline at around £3 billion.
Unions, who have already held a three-day strike, plan a second stoppage from tomorrow in a dispute that centres on cost-cutting plans and staffing levels.
"There are no plans," Mr Walsh told BBC News 24 when asked if he was going to talk to unions on Friday. "I met with (general secretary) Brendan Barber of the Trades Union Congress earlier this week. Brendan asked me if I would be available. I told him I would. I'm available at any stage if he gets the trade union to agree to meet," he said.
Unite union joint general secretary Tony Woodley has urged BA to return to talks, saying a settlement is possible.
The airline said the three-day stoppage a week ago cost it about £7 million a day, but had not broadly affected its profits outlook.
The dispute began because BA, which has 12,000 cabin crew, wants to save an annual £62.5 million to help cope with falling demand, volatile fuel prices and greater competition.
Reuters