Flights will resume from Gatwick from 29 March 2022, with one way fares from £39. The initial route network includes all the major European beach and leisure destinations, where it will compete against easyJet.
The complete list of Gatwick destinations so far is: Amsterdam, Larnaca, Paphos, Seville, Tenerife, Verona, Arrecife, Faro, Malta, Catania (Sicily), Malaga, Marrakech, Nice, Alicante, Antalya, Las Palmas, Bari, Dubrovnik, Turin, Ibiza, Palma, Berlin, Venice, Mahon. Madrid, Thessaloniki, Bordeaux, Milan Malpensa, Santorini, Cagliari (Sardinia), Dalaman, Heraklion (Crete), Kos, Rhodes and Athens. Routes will be added between 29 March and 4 May 2022.
The list of 35 routes compares with 43 flown in August 2019, with notable absences including BA’s former domestic services.
The airline announced its intention to create a lower cost short-haul standalone business at Gatwick in August, similar to its CityFlyer operation from London City airport, which operates under the BA name but exists as an entirely separate entity.
BA will initially operate three Airbus aircraft, ramping up to 18 by the end of May.
The new services will initially be operated by BA, but by autumn 2022 will be managed separately under the company trading name BA Euroflyer. The brand name will remain as British Airways.
The subsidiary will herald the airline’s return to short-haul flying from Gatwick, which had been suspended because of Covid-19 in Spring 2020. During the pandemic, several routes were moved to Heathrow, some of which will return to Gatwick, as well as being maintained at Heathrow, including Faro, Ibiza, Malaga, Marrakech and Tenerife.
The new services will be BA branded, with free water and snacks, free seat selection 24 hours before departure and frequent flyer benefits, including lounge access. The Club Europe product will be available.
The airline has launched a “significant recruitment campaign” at Gatwick.
Sean Doyle, BA chairman and chief executive, said: “Today is a landmark moment for British Airways. The creation of a new British Airways short-haul organisation means Gatwick customers will benefit from access to a premium service from the UK’s flag carrier at competitive prices.
“We are looking forward to bringing a short-haul network back to Gatwick, with a fantastic flying team in place, to serve our customers from London’s second hub airport, which we feel sure will be a success.”
Stewart Wingate, Gatwick chief executive, said: “This significant news will be very welcome for many people connected to the airport. Despite the ongoing public health situation, today’s announcement is a positive signal that consumer confidence is returning as people start thinking about making travel plans for next summer.
“Given the difficult period we have all just been through, we expect BA’s new and extensive network of services from Gatwick to destinations across Europe to be in high demand and our staff, retailers, restaurants, cafes and bars are all looking forward to welcoming BA passengers back in larger numbers from April next year.”
