Aviation unions have praised BA pilots and cabin crew for landing their plane safely and evacuating all passengers after their aircraft filled with smoke. One of the unions called for an inquiry into the incident in which nearly 200 people had to be evacuated from a BA flight after smoke poured into the cabin minutes before it was due to land in Valencia on Monday. Three people were taken to hospital after the incident and each was later discharged. Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union, has called for an inquiry into toxic cabin air and fume events on board jet airliners following Monday’s incident. Describing the event as the tip of the iceberg, Unite called on the airline industry to “come clean” over toxic cabin air and “clean up” its act by using safer oil to lubricate jet engines and fitting cabin air filters on board planes. Howard Beckett, Unite’s assistant general secretary for legal affairs, said: “This latest fume event is deeply alarming. British Airways has some serious questions to answer regarding the safety of the aircraft, in addition to providing health and safety guarantees for our cabin crew members. Unite said it is currently supporting 51 high court actions against five UK airlines after they said they found evidence that the air in most commercial airline cabins can cause irreversible neurological damage and chronic illness among susceptible individuals. Story has more.<br/>
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BA and its competitor airlines "have to be thinking about flying in different ways" to reduce their environmental impact, its chief executive has said. Alex Cruz said airlines cannot operate exactly as they have done "over the last 100 years" and must adapt by changing how they fly, including the services they offer and the seating density of their planes. BA is already investing millions of pounds in sustainable jet fuel produced from household waste while easyJet is working on plans for an electric-powered aircraft that could be used on short flights. Cruz said he had been inspired by conversations with his four children on the subject and insisted BA was "absolutely committed" to using sustainable fuels. Cruz said it was "impossible ... not to be affected" by the views of young people as they were growing up in a "completely different environment'". He said: "We believe that flying makes absolute sense for the development of the world, but at the same time we don't believe that flying can be done like it has been done over the last 100 years. So when we look at the next 100 years we have to be thinking about flying in different ways. And that includes experiences on the ground: how do you prepare, what you load on the aircraft, the type of food you offer, how you offer it, the seats, the density, etc. There are many, many aspects around flying in the future – we are going to be there, I just don't know what the shape is going to be."<br/>
The new stadium at Hollywood Park being built for the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers has reached another milestone — its first corporate sponsor. The LA Stadium and Entertainment District at Hollywood Park announced that American Airlines will be a founding partner. The airline will be the naming rights partner for American Airlines Plaza, which will be a 2½-acre, two-level open-air space that will serve as the main entrance into the 70,000-seat stadium and 6,000-seat performance venue. The announcement took place Tuesday in front of the stadium, which is 75% complete and slated to open next July. "Anytime you get to this point in the project you are having these sorts of announcements," said Jason Gannon, the managing director for the LA Stadium and Entertainment District. "It is also a moment when you can see how the stadium and vision is being put together." The nearly $5b complex — which sits on 298 acres in Inglewood, is being built by Rams owner Stan Kroenke. It will also include retail and office space as well as apartments. The stadium will also host the Super Bowl in 2022, the College Football Playoff championship in 2023 and the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2028 Olympics. American Airlines president Robert Isom said the rights deal continues the company's investment in Los Angeles. American is one of the largest carriers out of Los Angeles International Airport and is investing $1.6b in renovating its terminals at the airport.<br/>
Malaysia Airlines' new chief strategy officer Bryan Foong is set to play a key role in guiding the next phase of the carrier’s restructuring efforts. Foong was appointed Aug. 1 in a move that represents his return to the airline; he was head of strategy in its previous incarnation from 2007 to 2011. Foong succeeds Philip See, who became CEO of MAB subsidiary airline Firefly. The new CSO will be “responsible for translating the … vision of the board and CEO into strategic priorities and direction,” MAB said. “He will also lead the planning of [the] network and fleet in deciding the future size and shape” of the airline group. MAB has proposed a revised turnaround plan to state investment agency Khazanah, which is the carrier’s sole shareholder. However, the government is also considering other options, including selling a strategic stake. <br/>