BA returns to Birmingham and Bristol
British Airways is reinstating services to Birmingham and Bristol Airports in May this year after ceasing flights a decade ago.
The first destinations will be Malaga, Ibiza and Palma in Spain, and Florence in Italy. Return fares from Bristol to Palma will cost from £45, while Bristol to Florence or Ibiza will be from £49, and Bristol to Malaga from £59.
Birmingham to Ibiza will cost from £45 return, and the fares to Florence, Malaga and Palma will cost from £49.
British Airways last flew from Birmingham and Bristol in 2007 when the regional airline business was sold to Flybe.
Since then Vueling and Iberia Express, subsidiaries of British Airways’ parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), have started services to Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Tenerife, Paris Orly and Madrid from Birmingham, while Aer Lingus has continued to operate to Dublin from Birmingham since 1984.
Aer Lingus Regional operates from Bristol to Dublin.
British Airways also recently announced it is to resume European flights from Manchester Airport and will increase destinations and frequencies from both London City and Stansted airports this summer.
Popular routes
Luke Hayhoe, British Airways’ general manager commercial and customer, said: “We are very excited to be returning to Birmingham and Bristol 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 both airports.”
David Winstanley, Birmingham Airport’s CEO, 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.”
Robert Sinclair, CEO at Bristol Airport, said: “We are delighted with [the] 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.”
