Inauguration yesterday of british airways’ new florence– london city route

Florence, 31 March 2014 - The new British Airways route between Florence and London’s important City Airport was inaugurated yesterday:  Tuscany’s chief town, the home of art and cradle of Italy’s Renaissance history, is thus connected with 4 weekly flights, to England’s futuristic capital.  Thanks to collaboration with the Fire Brigade, the first aircraft from London was greeted at Florence airport in the traditional manner of celebrating inaugural flights.  

The new service, which can be purchased from ba.com, and travel agencies at €58 (hand baggage only, one way, in economy, all inclusive) is operated by the Embraer 190 jet, which seats up to 98 passengers with the following time-table:

The introduction of the new route connecting Florence to London City is a great advantage for the whole of Tuscany and for all travellers on business or pleasure trips.   

Flights for London City airport arrive in the futuristic Docklands, an area which has recently been re-qualified and converted into an animated and modern zone within easy reach of the heart of London’s financial hub and main tourist attractions.    

To satisfy the demand of firms and private citizens, British Airways offers Florentines the possibility of flying to London City with a choice of two travel classes:  Euro Traveller and Club Europe, respectively Economy and Business class on European routes.  The introduction of this new service confirms the growing attention British Airways is dedicating to local small and medium-size firms:  the British airline, in fact, offers firms the possibility of optimizing their travel budget thanks to a company loyalty programme known as “On Business”*.  “Florence is of strategic importance to us”, comments Mark Moscardini, British Airways Regional Manager for South-East Europe and N. Africa.   “Thanks to the new connectivity with London City, passengers leaving from Tuscany can now count on an even greater offer, since they can opt to fly from Pisa or Florence airport and land in one of the three London airports, whichever suits their requirements”, adds Mark Moscardini. “Also, with the opening of this new route, the company looks to the territory and, in particular to its firms which are now able to land right in the heart of London’s financial city.   

Marco Carrai, Chairman of Aeroporto di Firenze SpA, expresses “Enormous satisfaction at seeing the British airline land in Florence for the first time in history.  The arrival of British Airways is a very significant milestone in the growth of our airport and recognition of AdF as a partner of one of the world’s most important carriers.”   

For further information: www.ba.com

British Airways, member of the International Airlines Group, is one of the world’s most prestigious airlines and the U.K.’s largest international carrier.  The airline is based at London Heathrow, the world’s busiest international airport, and flies to over 70 countries.  In 2013 British Airways carried almost 40 million passengers and currently boasts a fleet of over 270 aircraft.  In May 2013 Skytrax nominated Terminal 5 the “World’s Best Airport Terminal” for the second year running, and   also the “World’s Best Shopping Airport”.   British Airways flies to Terminal 5 at London Heathrow from Rome Fiumicino, Milan Linate and Malpensa, Bologna, Pisa and Venice.  All the other Italian cities served by British Airways operate flights to London Gatwick.  In September 2013, Business Traveller elected British Airways Best Airline, Best Short-Haul Carrier, Best First Class, Best Frequent Flyer Programme and Best Airport Lounge.    

For further information contact:

MSL Italia – British Airways Press Office

Alessandro Chiarmasso/HalajieBarjie/Francesca Papagno/Olga De Franceschi

Tel: 02 - 77336. 356/413/230

alessandro.chiarmasso@mslgroup.com / halajie.barjie@mslgroup.com / francesca.papagno@mslgroup.com / olga.defranceschi@mslgroup.com

Aeroporto di Firenze S.p.A.

Alessia Viviani

Tel: + 39 055 30 61258

a.viviani@aeroporto.firenze.it