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British Airways releases 2009 summer schedule
British Airways releases 2009 summer schedule03-Apr-2009 |
Airline Code [BAW]
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Tags :UK, British Airways, finances British Airways unveiled its 2009 summer schedule, which sees the airline operating 66 weekly flights from eight GCC markets to London Heathrow, a 35% increase on the equivalent programme last year. British Airways' biggest-ever regional summer schedule comes at a time when several leading regional and global carriers have reduced seasonal schedules to combat the current economic downturn. Despite British Airways recently announcing it expected to post £150million 31-Mar-09, Paolo De Renzis, the airline's recently appointed Commercial Manager, Middle East, said the region - where the carrier has operated for 77 years - remained a vital component in British Airways' long-term growth strategy. "The Middle East continues to show robust growth and remains an important market for the airline," said De Renzis, in his first major announcement since taking the regional hot seat in February. "It's no secret the aviation industry is in the worst trading environment it has ever faced and several carriers have folded already this year, following the 30-plus airlines that went bust in 2008. "However, while not immune from the tightening market conditions brought about by falling passenger numbers, we believe we are well positioned to navigate any turbulence. "There are several areas where British Airways remains the industry leader. We have leading products and services - some of which will be enhanced in the coming months - across four cabins, our fuel hedging position for 2009 gives us more financial freedom in terms of fluctuating oil prices, our operational statistics at Terminal 5 - which recently celebrated its first birthday - reflect the best performance figures Heathrow has seen in decades, and on top of all that, the region's summer schedule is our biggest-ever in this strategic growth market," he added. De Renzis explained British Airways' re-entrance in to Saudi Arabia on 31-May-09 offers it another key revenue source; the airline will operate five weekly flights from both Jeddah and Riyadh, respectively, to Terminal Five, its dedicated £4.3billion (AED22.7billion) home at London's principal airport. "The resumption of flights from Riyadh and Jeddah further strengthens our regional commercial proposition and we look forward to offering our Saudi customers greater options, whether they are landing in the UK or connecting to our global network of more than 150 destinations in 70 countries," he said. Running from 29-Mar-09 to the end of31-Oct-09, British Airways' Middle East summer schedule sees a pair of Boeing 777s and a single Boeing 747 operate three daily flights from Dubai to London Heathrow, while a Boeing 777 will operate the airline's daily Abu Dhabi service. The majority of British Airways' summer schedule aircraft are fully embodied with the carrier's award-winning new Club World (business) cabin; all 57 of its Boeing 747s and 86 percent of its 43-strong Boeing 777 fleet feature the enhanced premium product,A full timetable of British Airways' GCC – British Airways' 66 flights from the GCC to London Heathrow are: Three daily services from Dubai (21) Daily services from Abu Dhabi, Muscat (Oman), Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar (35) Five weekly services from both Riyadh and Jeddah, respectively (10) (c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 03-Apr-09 |
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