Nadia Eweida still works for British Airways

Nadia Eweida, 55, of Twickenham, south-west London, claims the decision amounted to religious discrimination.

The check-in worker is seeking back pay and damages from BA at an employment tribunal in Reading, Berkshire.

She was sent home in September 2006 for being in breach of BA's uniform policy, the tribunal heard.

Steve Allen, a senior BA manager, told the hearing Miss Eweida "refused point-blank" to comply with BA's uniform requirement.

The policy stated that personal jewellery items should not be worn unless they could be concealed from view.

Media storm

Mr Allen said it was unreasonable to expect the company to review its policy every time an employee had an issue with it.

He said the policy "was a reasonable requirement, which had not previously caused a problem for religious employees".

"If a concession had been made to allow Nadia to wear her cross, we would then have had considerable difficulty in enforcing the requirement with other employees," he added.

BA eventually changed its policy following pressure from the public and politicians, including then prime minister Tony Blair.

Under cross-examination, Mr Allen disagreed Miss Eweida "would simply have been sacked" had it not been for the media storm.