BA offers counselling to passengers in aircraft fire
British Airways is offering counselling services to passengers who were caught up in Tuesday’s blaze on board a flight to London Gatwick.
Flight BA 2276 caught fire on the runway at Las Vegas Airport as it was preparing to take off, forcing the pilot to effect an emergency evacuation.
All 157 passengers and 13 crew made it off safely within five minutes, but 27 people were treated for minor injuries due to cuts and bruises sustained when exiting via the inflatable evacuation chutes.
BA said its airport team has been ‘working tirelessly’ to assist those affected.
"We appreciate this has been a very difficult time for our customers and we have been working to organise a range of alternative flights to ensure everyone has the option to depart for the UK on BA flights and other carriers," it said.
"All customers were provided with local hotel accommodation in Las Vegas, and regular updates and support were provided by our airport customer service teams. We will also be offering counselling services for those who feel it would be helpful."
General Electric has issued a statement reassuring passengers about the safety of one of its engine types after the fire on board the Boeing 777.
The pilot told passengers the blaze was caused by ‘catastrophic engine failure’.
According to some reports, investigators are looking into whether the fire suppression equipment failed to work properly or whether a fuel line ruptured, causing the fire to spread.
A full inquiry by the National Transportation Safety Board is now underway.
In its statement, General Electric said based on the engine fleet’s service history, it was not aware of ‘any operational issues that would hazard the continued safe flight of aircraft powered by these engines’.
It said the engine has ‘compiled an outstanding safety and reliability record since entering service in 1995’.
"The GE90 is among the world’s most reliable engines, powering more than 900 Boeing 777 aircraft and accumulating more than 50 million flight hours," it added.
According to a preliminary assessment by the Federal Aviation Administration, the fire came from the plane’s left engine.
The pilot, 63, who is due to retire this month after 42 years with BA, was praised for his expertise and quick thinking.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026