After two years, British Airways returned to international short-haul flying from Gatwick Airport on Tuesday, March 29, as its first service departed for Larnaca at 6:25am.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the airline suspended its European operation at Gatwick Airport, moving a number of flights over to Heathrow. Today marks a milestone in the airline’s recovery as it finally returns to international short-haul flying from the airport.
Initially, services will operate under the British Airways Air Operators Certificate (AOC), before moving operations to a new British Airways-branded subsidiary, BA Euroflyer later in the year. The new airline will operate in a similar manner to the company’s existing subsidiary BA Cityflyer, flying under the British Airways brand and delivering a premium British Airways product.
On the first day of operation, British Airways will operate four short-haul flights to Larnaca, Amsterdam, Paphos and Tenerife. In total, customers will have the choice of 35 destinations to fly to from Gatwick, before more destinations are added later this year.
Not only has the British Airways return to Gatwick created more choice for customers, but it has also helped create jobs as the airline undertook both a cabin crew and pilot recruitment campaign to fill positions at its new subsidiary
