BA launches Heathrow – Bilbao; Vueling moves Bilbao to Gatwick

London Air Travel » Vueling

BA Airbus A319 aircraft at London Heathrow (Image Credit: British Airways)
BA Airbus A319 aircraft at London Heathrow (Image Credit: British Airways)

British Airways has today announced it is to launch a twice daily service from London Heathrow to Bilbao in the Basque region of Northern Spain.

Bilbao is currently served from London Heathrow by BA’s IAG sibling Vueling. It will move its four weekly flights to London Gatwick.

Flights launch on Sunday 29 March 2015.

BA’s flights will initially operate from Heathrow Terminal 1 and will move to Terminal 3 on Tuesday 30 June 2015.

London Heathrow – Bilbao

Flight BA466 Depart London Heathrow 09:20 – Arrive Bilbao 12:20
Flight BA468 Depart London Heathrow 16:05 – Arrive Bilbao 19:05

Flight BA467 Depart Bilbao 13:05 – Arrive London Heathrow 14:00
Flight BA469 Depart Bilbao 19:40 – Arrive London Heathrow 20:35

Whilst a popular leisure destination in its own right (Bilbao is of course home to a Guggenheim museum) we understand the service has been operated to attract corporate clients in the area to BA’s London network and cargo traffic from the port of Bilbao.

Flights are currently on sale on ba.com

IAG orders up to 120 Airbus A320 aircraft for Vueling

London Air Travel » Vueling

International Airlines Group (IAG) has today confirmed that it has secured both firm orders and options for up to 220 Airbus A320 short haul aircraft for its subsidiary airlines British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.

Up to 120 of these aircraft are designated for its short-haul low cost carrier subsidiary Vueling. The new aircraft will enable Vueling to replace some of its existing aircraft and expand its network.

The Vueling order comprises 62 firm orders which include 30 A320ceo and 32 A320neo aircraft and options for a further 58 aircraft. The firm orders will be delivered to Vueling between 2015 and 2020.

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IAG still intent on pursuing 100% ownership of Vueling

London Air Travel » Vueling

International Airlines Group is clearly not satisfied with owning over 90% of Vueling.

Although this gives IAG full control of Vueling for all practical and accounting purposes, the airline group is clearly intent on having 100% ownership of Vueling. On Friday, IAG made a further offer for the remaining 9% of Vueling’s shares listed on the stock exchange in Spain.

As stated before, IAG has been coy about its intentions regarding Vueling, save for stating it will remain a separate subsidiary in the IAG group. However, IAG is clearly very keen on pursuing full ownership and control of the airline.

easyJet to expand at Gatwick as Flybe sells off slots

London Air Travel » Vueling

London Gatwick Airfield (Image Credit: London Gatwick Airport)
London Gatwick Airfield (Image Credit: London Gatwick Airport)

easyJet is to expand further at London Gatwick airport next year as Flybe has today announced it is to sell to easyJet its portfolio of 25 take off and landing slots at the airport for £20m.

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Sunday Times: Flybe may sell London Gatwick slots to easyJet

The Sunday Times reports that Flybe is to sell its portfolio of slots at London Gatwick and easyJet may be a prospective purchaser.

London Air Travel » Vueling

London Gatwick Airfield (Image Credit: London Gatwick Airport)
London Gatwick Airfield (Image Credit: London Gatwick Airport)

The Sunday Times has interesting story (Sunday Times Paywall) which states that Flybe is in discussions with easyJet to sell its portfolio of slots at London Gatwick airport.

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IAG 1st Quarter Results – Analysts Q&A Session

London Air Travel » Vueling

British Airways / Iberia Logos
British Airways / Iberia Logos (Image Credit: British Airways / Iberia)

As previously mentioned, International Airlines Group published its 1st quarter results in Friday.

On the morning of the announcement, as per standard protocol, it held a webcast for analyst and the question and answer session that follows provides a lot of useful insight into current strategic developments at the airline group.

Here is a summary of some points of interest from the call:

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