Summary
- British Airways is reportedly expanding its BA Euroflyer operations at London Gatwick Airport to compete with low-cost carriers dominating the airport.
- BA Euroflyer’s streamlined network map goals to enhance British Airways’ weaker performance at Gatwick.
- BA Euroflyer plans to expand its fleet by eight aircraft.
British Airways plans to ramp up its BA Euroflyer operations from London Gatwick Airport (LGW), in accordance with a report by Aviation Week. The news comes because the British flag carrier seeks to stay competitive on the airport dominated by low-cost carriers equivalent to easyJet, Vueling, and Wizz Air, amongst others.
Expanding short-haul service
At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, British Airways suspended its service and even warned that the flights from its secondary hub at Gatwick may not return. Nevertheless, short-haul service resumed in 2022 under the airline’s latest short-haul subsidiary, called BA Euroflyer.
Despite facing competition from low-cost carriers on a significant slice of its network, British Airways is betting on BA Euroflyer’s streamlined network map to enhance its previously weaker performance at Gatwick.
Photo: Artur Buibarov/Shutterstock
Currently, BA Euroflyer currently offers services to over 40 scheduled and seasonal destinations across Europe, including Amsterdam (AMS), Geneva (GVA), Santorini (JTR), and Salzburg (SLZ).
In December 2022, the carrier received its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and operating licenses from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), allowing it to branch out operations from British Airways. Although technically a stand-alone airline, BA Euroflyer retains British Airways’ standards and branding.
Fleet expansion plans
BA Euroflyer has 18 aircraft in its fleet at a mean age of 18.6 years, in accordance with Planespotters.net. The fleet comprises 12 Airbus A320-200s and 6 Airbus A321-200 jets. The carrier intends to bolster its fleet, as it could allow the airline to extend its short-haul service from LGW airport and support British Airways’ existing capability from London Heathrow (LHR) and London City (LCY).
Photo: Markus Mainka /Shutterstock
During an analysts’ call held after the discharge of the first-half financial results of its parent company, International Airlines Group, British Airways’ CEO, Sean Doyle, announced that BA Euroflyer plans to expand its fleet at Gatwick by a further eight aircraft:
“At Gatwick, EuroFlyer is up and running at a reasonably significant scale. Now we have arrange a separate airline operating certificate (AOC), and we’re operating 18 aircraft there to summer. Our plan can be to get that as much as about 26.”
As of now, British Airways boasts a fleet of 287 aircraft, in accordance with data from Planespotters.net. This diverse fleet primarily consists of Airbus-manufactured planes, including 89 A320s, 30 A319s, 21 A321s, 15 A350s, and 12 A380s. Moreover, the airline operates a big variety of Boeing aircraft, comprising 59 Boeing 777s and 37 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. When it comes to its regional jet fleet, British Airways operates a complete of 20 Embraer ERJ-190s and 4 Dornier 328s.
What are your thoughts on BA Euroflyer’s plans to expand its short-haul service at Gatwick? Will you be flying with BA Euroflyer this summer? Tell us within the comments section below.
Sources: Aviation Week, Planespotters.net