British Airways (BA) is to significantly expand operations at London City Airport, as the airline looks to persuade new travellers to use the business base.
Despite the demise of BA Connect, many of whose routes and aircraft will resurface with Flybe, the UK flag carrier has placed its faith in LCY by setting up BA CityFlyer ” an operation with its own AOC ” and adding 70% capacity.
The new airline will operate 250 flights per week ” up from the current 144 ” to six UK and European business destinations such as Milan, Zurich, Edinburgh and Glasgow ” using ten RJ100 aircraft from the BA Connect fleet.
”We sold BA Connect”s regional operation and out of that, kept the London City services,” said a BA spokeswoman. ”London City plays a key role in our network strategy and provides services for a niche market.
The issue at LCY however, is stand capacity, as BA readily acknowledged: ”The airport is working to increase the number of stands,” she noted, but the single, short runway and tight apron space make for a crowded turnaround.
This was dramatically highlighted recently, when an Air France BAe146-200 operated by CityJet, burst its tyres on landing, creating a major logjam.
”London City Airport will be a major focus for us during the next few years,” said BA CityFlyer managing director designate, Peter Simpson. ”Our existing services have been well received by the business community and our new routes are very much at the top of the wish list for our customers.”
The new services start at the beginning of the summer timetable on 26 March.