British Airways will operate 264 routes by the summer of 2018, a 17 per cent increase compared to its route network in 2016

British Airways’ chief executive Alex Cruz pledged that the airline’s new £4.5bn investment programme would improve the flying experience for all customers – including those in the Middle East.  Having completed 85 years of successful operations to the region, Cruz’s commitment comes as British Airways prepares to roll out its new Club World product enhancements across the Middle East in 2018.

Reaffirming British Airways as a premium airline committed to customer choice, Cruz outlined the unprecedented competitive pressure the company faced and voiced his determination to create a stronger national carrier to benefit customers and remain at the forefront of world aviation.

Speaking at the World Travel Market in London, Mr Cruz said his strategy at British Airways was designed to enable increased investment for customers and wider availability of affordable fares.

He announced that the £4.5bn investment over the next five years would include:

  • 72 new aircraft, including four new types for the airline: the Airbus A350, the Boeing 787-10 and the neo (new engine option) variant of the Airbus A320 and 321;

  • New interiors for 128 aircraft in the existing fleet;

  • At-seat power for customers in all cabins;

  • Upgraded catering for economy customers on long-haul;

  • Roll-out of fast wifi in all cabins on short-haul and long-haul.

Stressing his desire to shape a “British Airways for everyone”, he said the airline would continue to offer more low fares, so it could take on all types of airline competitor. And it would keep extending its route network to destinations customers wanted.

“We want to be the airline of choice for everyone. Every customer matters – short-haul or long-haul, economy or premium. So, we must have an offer that is attractive to everyone,” he said.

To coincide with the speech, the airline announced a new route for next summer from Heathrow to Figari in Corsica. British Airways will be flying 264 routes next summer – a rise of 17 per cent in two

years. With 11 destinations across nine countries in its Middle East network, the airline offers excellent onward connections from regional gateways to Europe and North America via London Heathrow.

He also highlighted £200m of additional investment in Club World cabins, following a £400 million injection unveiled last year. He described customer feedback on recent improvements in catering and bedding as “fantastic” and identified New York JFK, Rome and Aberdeen for major lounge refurbishments in 2018.  British Airways’ new concept Concorde Bar and Lounge was launched in Dubai in 2016, the second city in the airline’s network to receive the new signature Club World and First lounge.

Mr Cruz told his audience that British Airways was facing “a combination of competitive forces more challenging than at any point in our history” with the growth of low-cost long haul airlines, the continuing expansion of low-cost short-haul, the premium offerings of the Gulf carriers and the financial revitalisation of US transatlantic operators.

“As a national flag carrier, we are not granted some special immunity from the way the industry has changed,” he said.

“Incumbency does not grant any privilege. We have no divine right to flourish, and we don’t ask for one.”

He added: “I am passionate about setting British Airways on the right path to deliver for our customers and fulfil our potential. If we continue to embrace change while staying true to our values, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”

-Ends-
Copies of Mr Cruz’s speech are available, for media enquiries, please contact the British Airways press office: 
Ruth Christian / Parisa Bukhowa/ Emma Patterson       
Tel: 04 390 2960
ruth.c@actionprgroup.com / parisa.b@actionprgroup.com / emma.p@actionprgroup.com  

About British Airways:
This year, British Airways completed 85 years of successful operations to the Middle East. Today the carrier operates multiple daily flights from the region to London Heathrow offering customers excellent onward connections to over 200 destinations.

  • Four hundred million pounds will be spent on Club World with an emphasis on improved catering and sleep, and a new seat in the future. At Heathrow a First Wing check-in area with direct security and lounge access has launched, and lounges around the airline’s network are to be revamped and improved. The Club Europe cabin has also been introduced on UK domestic services and all customers can look forward to the latest generation Wi-Fi across British Airways’ long-haul and short-haul fleets over the next two years.

  • British Airways flies to more than 200 destinations around the world.

  • BA Holidays offer an extensive range of carefully-selected hotels, car hire and travel experiences that are available to book with flights in a wide range of worldwide destinations from ba.com/holidays.

  • The airline is one of the world's largest international airlines, carrying approximately 40 million passengers around the world every year.

  • The airline offers a choice of four cabins on the majority of its long-haul services.

  • The airline is investing in new aircraft, new cabins, new technology and new routes.

  • British Airways operates the majority of its flights from Terminal 5, its home at London Heathrow. This terminal is capable of handling 30 million customers a year and is the size of 50 football pitches.

  • British Airways’ home Terminal 5 has been recognised as the world’s best terminal for the fourth consecutive year in the Skytrax awards.

  • British Airways has won the Consumer Superbrand for the fourth time in a row, and the Business Superbrand for the third year in a row. This is the first time any company has ever won the double consecutively.

  • British Airways’ parent company is International Airlines Group, which also owns Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling, and has just launched a low cost carrier from Spain called LEVEL.

© Press Release 2017