British Airways could face further industrial action, this time over plans to curb retirement benefits for 17,000 pension scheme members, a move unions say would have consequences for the carrier. The airline is proposing an overhaul that would limit retirement pay-outs from its defined benefit scheme (Naps). It blamed low interest rates and rising life expectancy for an increase in the scheme’s deficit to GBP3.5b from GBP2.8b in 2015. BA will close the scheme to future accruals, meaning that staff will not see their retirement payout increase in line with their salary and the length of their service. Instead the airline is understood to be considering opening a new scheme that will include the Naps members along with 20,000 members of its less-generous defined contribution scheme (Barp). <br/>
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Engine flames that forced a Japan Airlines plane to make an emergency landing earlier this week were caused by damaged turbine blades, not a bird strike as initially believed, Japanese transport officials said Thursday. The Boeing 777-300 ER carrying 250 passengers and crew returned to Tokyo Haneda International Tuesday after its pilot requested an emergency landing minutes after take-off, reporting a bird strike. An orange flame was seen coming from its left engine during take-off. The Japan Transport Safety Board said it has labelled the case a "serious incident" after finding damage to dozens of turbine blades in the engine, made by General Electric, but no trace of a bird strike. One of accident investigators who inspected the engine, said that a number of holes were also found in metal surrounding the turbine. <br/>
As Hurricane Irma heads toward Florida, where American Airlines has its fourth-largest hub at Miami International, the airline is taking a cue from a fare playbook that United Airlines did not opt to use in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Houston region — to devastating effect — late last month. Late Wednesday American Airlines announced it would cap fares at US$99 plus taxes for all remaining seats on all flights departing from Miami and other Florida markets the airline serves until AA starts shutting down service around the state Friday afternoon. AA’s decision to cap fares in the face of a potentially catastrophic weather event is believed to be an historic move by a major US-based airline. United opted to make no changes to its fare structure in the lead-up to Harvey. <br/>