Business

BA subsidiary to resume London City link from Belfast

BA CityFlyer will launch a Belfast City to London City service in September using a 98-seat E190 aircraft
BA CityFlyer will launch a Belfast City to London City service in September using a 98-seat E190 aircraft BA CityFlyer will launch a Belfast City to London City service in September using a 98-seat E190 aircraft

BRITISH Airways’ subsidiary BA CityFlyer will launch a new daily air service from London City to George Best Belfast City Airport from September.

This route was previously operated by Flybe, and its securing of the capital-to-capital route goes some way to ensuring all the Belfast slots vacated following the regional airline's administration will soon be filled.

CityFlyer primarily operates out of London City and Edinburgh, using a fleet of Embraer 190s and 170s.

And although it will launch in Belfast with a single flight on a 98-seat E190 aircraft, it is understood there are plans to further increase frequency.

Belfast City's chief executive Brian Ambrose said: “London City was an important route in the Flybe network, providing connectivity between Belfast and the heart of London’s financial district.

“The convenience of our location, just a five minute drive from the city centre, is mirrored for passengers landing at London City Airport, from which Canary Wharf can be reached on the Docklands Light Railway in less than 15 minutes and Bank within 22 minutes.”

He added: “British Airways has been a long-standing partner of Belfast City, and the arrival of BA CityFlyer further enhances its commitment to Northern Ireland.”

Last year Belfast was one of the top performing routes with London City Airport, with more than 210,000 passengers travelling between the two capitals.

CityFlyer's parent British Airways resumed flights at Belfast City on Wednesday, coinciding with figures revealing that just 2,669 passengers flew in or out of Northern Ireland on commercial flights during the entire month of April.

BA's owner IAG (it also owns Aer Lingus) said Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on the travel sector, causing carnage caused to the airline industry.

It has resuming flying at vastly reduced capacity, but admitted it was burning through cash and does not expect to return to full capacity until 2023.