BA to relaunch flights from two regional airports
British Airways is to resume flights from Birmingham and Bristol airports with the launch of four new summer-only routes.
In May, the airline will begin direct flights from both cities to Malaga, Ibiza and Palma in Spain and to Florence in Italy.
It will use an Embraer 190 jet aircraft on the routes, which will operate once a week at weekends.
BA previously ceased flying from Birmingham and Bristol in 2007 when its regional airline business was sold to Flybe.
Since then Vueling and Iberia Express, subsidiaries of BA’s parent IAG, have started flyig to Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Tenerife, Paris Orly and Madrid from Birmingham, while sister carrier Aer Lingus has continued to operate to Dublin from Birmingham.
The news comes a week after BA announced it is to resume European flights from Manchester and increase destinations and frequencies from both London City and Stansted airports this summer.
Luke Hayhoe, BA general manager commercial and customer, said: "We are very excited to be returning to Birmingham and Bristol with four very popular routes.
"Customers can once again enjoy competitively priced flights to the sun direct from their doorstep with British Airways to those destinations they tell us they want to fly to. We look forward to a busy summer at both airports."
Birmingham Airport chief operating officer David Winstanley said: "Having British Airways return to Birmingham is not only great news for the airport but also the Midlands region and we are confident this is the beginning of a long-term growth plan with the airline.
Florence is the only one of the new routes not currently served from Birmingham.
Bristol Airport chief operating officer Robert Sinclair said: "We are delighted with today’s announcement which will see the iconic British Airways brand returning to Bristol Airport.
"It will be the first time an airline has operated a scheduled service between Bristol and the Italian historic city of Florence which we are sure will prove very popular."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026