The proposed cuts are at the firm's Gatwick engineering base

The firm said it had written to its 600 staff at Gatwick Engineering and said it was committed to achieving the reduction through voluntary means.

"A two-year Boeing 767 refit programme is coming to an end and engineering needs have decreased," a British Airways spokesman said.

The plan is subject to a consultation with staff and trade unions.

British Airways said staff would be able to register for voluntary redundancy or early retirement.

"They could also register for a voluntary transfer to Heathrow or our engineering bases in Cardiff or Glasgow," a spokesman said.

Of the 120 posts planned to be cut, 100 are engineers' jobs and the rest are administrative and support roles.