The voluntary agreement means that Prospect will negotiate with the company on pay, leave and hours of work.

It follows a Central Arbitration Committee ballot of licensed aircraft engineers earlier this year in which staff voted for Prospect to represent them. 73% of staff took part, with not a single vote against.

By negotiation with the company, recognition has now been extended beyond the engineers to the mechanics who work alongside them.

"The new agreement is a sign of staff's determination to get representation in the workplace," said Prospect negotiator David Avery.

"We can now start consulting members about next year's pay negotiations – the first in the company's history."