BA plans to raise the retirement age for staff

Last month, BA proposed raising the staff retirement age in order to close a �1bn deficit in its pension scheme.

BA wants to raise the retirement age for pilots from 55 to 60, and for other staff from 60 to 65.

It also wants a pension which builds up at a less generous rate. In return BA will make a one-off �500m payment into the pension scheme.

When the reforms were unveiled last month, BA chief executive Willie Walsh said the change would provide "competitive, affordable pensions for the future".

The airline is seeking to reach agreement with unions in order to stop its flights being disrupted for the third summer in a row.

Last summer, BA flights from Heathrow were grounded for two days after ground staff walked out in sympathy with sacked workers at caterer Gate Gourmet.

In August 2004, BA was forced to cancel flights following technical problems with some transatlantic aircraft and staff shortages.