AIRLINES

Pilots Closer to Eastern Settlement: Pilots for defunct Eastern Airlines moved closer to a $29.5-million payment from their former employer. Under the terms of a settlement reached in Federal Bankruptcy Court last month by the Air Line Pilots Assn., the pilots’ union, the money was moved to an escrow account pending resolution by January of a small group of pilot claims. The money was awarded to settle lawsuits and grievances brought by the pilots’ association during a strike against Eastern and the airline’s later bankruptcy.