"Balpa should have no say at all. If a UK airline refuses to enter a bid, or enters a too high bid then that is their perogative - Balpa, like many of us aviators are only virtual, senior airline managers and have no place in the commercial decission making process of an individual airline - (sorry, mini rant over)"
However if an overseas company does win the contract and then has to hire additional staff to facilitate the contract then it would be very easy for the MoD to make it a condition of the awarding of the contract .... no?
Also, apologies it was Air Seychelles, amended first post accordingly.