EUROPE'S newest regional airline has taken off from Southampton International Airport with the official launch of British Airways CitiExpress.
The first flight to operate under the new name from Southampton was the BA7681 service to the Channel Island of Jersey.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of British Airways, BA CitiExpress operates across 26 UK airports.
Passengers will not notice any difference from other British Airways services, apart from reference to the new name on tickets and during the cabin briefing.
BA CitiExpress was created from the integration of Brymon Airways and British Regional Airlines.
Later this year two more sub- sidiaries, British Airways Regional and Manx Airlines, will also become part of the operation.
David Evans, the company's gen- eral manager for UK business, said: "This is a significant event for regional flying, bringing together the best parts of our regional subsidiaries to create a single operating company.
"This will enable us to deliver our promise of offering the right flights at the right time of day to the right destinations from all the major UK airports.''
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article