British Airways cuts European fares in response to no frills carriers

17 July 2002

British Airways is to cut air fares from tomorrow, Thursday 18 July, by over 80 per cent on 37 more European routes, as it launches its latest major competitive response to the no frills carriers.

New lower year round fares are to be introduced on flights from the UK to Germany, Switzerland and Austria. These include 20 regional departures operated by British Airways’ wholly owned subsidiary British Airways CitiExpress.

Prices will start from £99 return including taxes from London to Geneva, Frankfurt, Cologne and Dusseldorf and £109 for a return ticket from London to Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. 

The lowest air fare previously on offer by the airline required a Saturday night stay and advance purchase. The scrapping of these restrictions means that there is a saving of £410 on a midweek return flight to Frankfurt, which now starts from £99 instead of £509 and a saving of £475 on a midweek flight to Berlin, which now starts from £109 instead of £584. 

Customers can combine peak and off peak as well as restricted and flexible fares to get the best possible price on a flight, which suits their needs. For example a business traveller can combine a cheaper fixed outbound flight to Geneva with a flexible return paying £304 instead of £486, saving £182.

Tiffany Hall, British Airways Head of UK Sales said: “We are now offering full service at no frills prices on 108 routes. For too long some carriers have created the myth that they are the only way to get a low fare. Now air travellers can visit ba.com and find low fares on British Airways flights plus the benefits of convenient airports, frequent flights, excellent customer service and free food and drinks on board.”