Yesterday (29 March), British Airways completed its first international flight out of London Gatwick Airport (LGW) after two years. Flight BA 2672 departed at 6.25am local time for Larnaca, Cyprus.
The connection marked the resumption of operations by the UK’s leading airline from London’s second busiest airport. As a result of restrictions implemented from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, British Airways had moved all European bound flights to London Heathrow International Airport (LHR).
Tom Stoddart, Acting CEO of British Airways Euroflyer, said: «Today marks a significant milestone for British Airways as we operate our first European services from Gatwick in two years».
Initially, the flights will operate under the British Airways Air Operators Certificate (AOC). Later, services will be marketed through the company’s new low-cost subsidiary, BA Euroflyer. This new subsidiary will be similar to BA Cityflyer, which operates from London City Airport (LCY).
BA Euroflyer flights will offer a two-class service: Club Europe (business), which represents a differentiation from other competitors in the short-haul European market, and Euro Traveller (economy).
In addition to Larnaca, flights to Amsterdam, Paphos and Tenerife have already returned. The airline will offer 35 destinations from Gatwick: it will gradually launch flights to another 31 European cities by 18 May. The restart of operations will also create new jobs, since the company will recruit additional cabin crew and pilots based at the airport.
The return took place a day after British Airways returned to Gatwick’s recently reopened South Terminal. There it opened its new check-in area, World Traveller Plus, available to long-haul passengers. The same service will soon be available at Heathrow.
