International flights have resumed today from Londons most central airport, as the Governments Travel Corridors policy comes into effect.
Image London City Airport
The return of flights to popular European holiday destinations from London City Airport has been met with massive demand from travellers. Bookings for the flights operated by British Airways’ subsidiary BA CityFlyer have exceeded expectations, with passengers eager to take advantage of the safe travel conditions and new rules to have a well-deserved holiday.
The strong demand underlines and affirms the findings of a recent survey of over 4,700 of the airport’s customers. Last month, 79% of City flyers said they were likely to travel when they are told it is safe to do so by the Government and airports or airlines. With the Government’s travel corridors policy and comprehensive safety measures at the airport both in place, people have felt confident to book flights and travel.
London City Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer, Richard Hill, said: “Today marks the start of the summer getaway season and it’s clear that customers value the safe, careful and speedy environment that we’ve created.
“I’m also delighted to see BA CityFlyer back operating from their home airport. Our partnership has been tremendously successful in the past and I am confident that it will be again, especially with more leisure routes like Nice, Mahon, Faro and Bergerac to follow, as well more daily rotations to Malaga, Ibiza and Palma.
“Looking ahead, I anticipate we’ll see more of our airline partners restarting services in the coming weeks, encouraged by the demand we’re experiencing in the London market.”
BA CityFlyer today resumed flying to Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Málaga and Florence. These initially daily flights will be joined from Monday 13th July by daily KLM flights to Amsterdam and Luxair flights to Luxembourg.
From Saturday 1st August, BA CityFlyer will add flights from London City Airport to other popular European destinations: Nice, Mahon, Faro and Bergerac.
London City Airport temporarily suspended flights for nearly three months between 25th March and 21st June, in response to the escalating public health crisis and government lockdown measures. During that period, the airport worked behind the scenes to create a safe environment for passengers and staff.
Designed following expert advice to meet official guidance and best practice standards, measures put in place include rapid contact-free temperature checking technology, crowd monitoring technology, an enhanced cleaning regime using an anti-microbial surface treatment, and social distancing procedures such as one-way systems and Perspex screens. Passengers will also be asked to wear face coverings in the airport.
The range of measures in place at the airport to create a safe and convenient environment for passengers and staff, include:
o An enhanced cleaning regime, including a long-life anti-microbial surface treatment used throughout the airport
o Touch-free hand sanitiser stations
o One-way systems
o Perspex screens at key points of interaction, such as check-in desks
o Clear signage and floor markings to help maintain social distancing and guide you through the airport
o Advance crowd monitoring technology to identify and manage busy areas, using CrowdVision
o Non-contact, automatic temperature checking technology for rapid preliminary screening
o Staff using face masks or visors and gloves
Despite additional safety measures, the important aspects of the customer experience at London City, its speed and convenience, have not changed.