Shares in British Airways, the UK flag-carrier, rose to their highest in seven years after the company agreed a new plan to tackle a £2.1bn (€3.1bn) pension deficit with the scheme trustees. The airline will consult with staff unions today.

BA said in September it would make a one-off contribution of £500m to the fund, but has now agreed with the trustees of the New Airways Pension Scheme to increase that to £800m.