In the world of pensions, deals do not come much more high-profile than Goldman Sachs insuring £1.3bn (€1.6bn) of UK airline BA’s crippling liability. The deal, announced at the end of last month, has put pensions buyouts back on the map.

The still relatively new market had been without a banner deal since January, when carmaker BMW insured £3bn-worth of its retirement funds against the risk of people living longer than expected. But, behind the headlines, consultants and insurers working in the field say they are getting busy again.