British Airways has announced plans to start flying from Birmingham Airport again with the launch of four new summer-only routes to popular European sun destinations.
Starting in May, the airline will begin direct flights from Birmingham and Bristol to the popular Spanish destinations of Malaga, Ibiza and Palma and to the Italian city of Florence. Basic each way fares from Birmingham to Ibiza start from GBP45 and to Florence, Malaga and Palma from GBP49, while basic each way fares from Bristol to Palma start from GBP45, to Florence and Ibiza from GBP49 and to Malaga from GBP59. Seats are available to book on www.ba.com.
The new return flights from both airports will operate once a week at weekends. They will operate on 98-seat Embraer 190 jet aircraft, with two abreast seating offering all customers either an aisle or window seat.
Luke Hayhoe, British Airways’ general manager commercial and customer, said: ‘We are very excited to be returning to Birmingham with four very popular routes. Customers can once again enjoy competitively priced flights to the sun direct from their doorstep with British Airways to those destinations they tell us they want to fly to. We look forward to a busy summer at Birmingham.’
David Winstanley, chief operating officer for Birmingham Airport, said, ‘Having British Airways return to Birmingham is not only great news for the airport but also the Midlands region and we are confident this is the beginning of a long-term growth plan with the airline. Launching these four routes, of which Florence is currently unserved, means British Airways and Avios card holders as well as leisure travellers looking for a two-class cabin product can travel from their more convenient airport than those further afield. We look forward to welcoming one of the world’s most recognisable and trusted brands back to Birmingham in May.’
F Robert Sinclair, chief executive officer, Bristol Airport, added: ‘We are delighted with today’s announcement which will see the iconic British Airways brand returning to Bristol Airport. It will be the first time an airline has operated a scheduled service between Bristol and the Italian historic city of Florence which we are sure will prove very popular. These additional flights to Palma, Florence, Ibiza and Malaga offers passengers in the South West and Wales region further choice of scheduled flights for the summer season. We look forward to working with British Airways on the new routes and further enhancing the services available from Bristol. ‘
British Airways last flew from Birmingham and Bristol in 2007, when the regional airline business was sold to Flybe.
