British Airways partner Kulula stops flights to Maputo

JOHANNESBURG — Kulula, a South African discount carrier owned by British Airways affiliate Comair, announced Thursday that it will stop flying to the Mozambican capital Maputo on January 17.

"The route from Lanseria (Johannesburg's second airport) to Maputo, which became effective in May 2011, has proved to be commercially unviable for the airline," Comair spokeswoman Heidi Brauer said in a statement.

The companies said affected ticket-holders would either be reimbursed or booked on other airlines.

Kulula launched flights to Maputo last year in a bid to compete with South African Airways and Mozambican national airline LAM, the carriers that have long dominated the market.

South African budget airline 1Time also quit flying from Johannesburg to Maputo in 2011, just a year after launching flights on the route.

British Airways Offers $2012 Fares for the New Year

British Airways is helping those last minute holiday tripseekers travel in luxury style by offering tickets to London from just $2012 -- all inclusive.

Simon Talling-Smith, Executive Vice President Americas, said, "We wanted to mark the start of a very exciting year in the UK with fantastic offers for our customers. The UK will be host to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and we're delighted to offer some great deals to help set the stage.

"There is no better way to travel than by flying to London in our award winning Club World and ringing the New Year in Trafalgar Square."

The sale starts on Thursday, December 8 and runs for just two days. Customers can travel outbound between December 20 and January 5, 2012 and back by January 8, 2012 giving them a Christmas and New Year in London. The $2012 fare includes all taxes, fees and charges.

This offer is valid from all 20 British Airways US gateways and all four Canadian gateways plus San Juan, Puerto Rico to London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh. The New York JFK to London City service is also included in this special offer.

Those customers flying in Club World will experience the airline's award-winning business class. As well as the 6ft fully flat beds, the cabin also features the Club Kitchen, multi channel on demand in-flight entertainment and excellent dining and wines.

As well as the flight savings, customers can also pick up great package deals by booking hotels or car hire through ba.com, creating an extra special holiday in the UK.

BA offers more holiday time in Mauritius

British Airways has adjusted the timings of its flights to Mauritius to give passengers more time in the luxury holiday destination this winter.

Return journeys from the island nation in the Indian Ocean will depart 12 hours later than at present, meaning travellers will have a bit of extra time to relax or see the sights.

The schedule change coincides with the transfer of BA's Mauritius route from London Heathrow to Gatwick airport, as part of a drive to strengthen the airline's premium leisure offering at the latter.

A new terminal extension was recently opened at Gatwick with the aim of giving travellers more control over their journey and introducing a new approach to customer service.

The extension will be home to all BA services at the airport and will allow customers to complete certain processes themselves, such as checking in, choosing seats and printing their luggage tags.

Silla Maizey, the airline's director at Gatwick, said: "We have a strong premium leisure strategy for Gatwick - we want it to be a hub for great high-end holiday destinations.

"Moving the Mauritius flights here helps us to strengthen this position as it will now sit alongside destinations such as the Maldives and the Caribbean."

BA also offers rooms at a range of hotels in Mauritius, such as the three-star Emeraude Beach Hotel on the east coast and Le Touessrok, a luxury spa resort spread across a number of offshore islands.

British Airways launches new Tokyo service!

British Airways yesterday (20 February) introduced a new service linking Tokyo Haneda airport to London Heathrow.

The airline is offering five weekly flights on the route, which complements its existing service to Narita airport in Japan's capital city.

BA's oneworld alliance partner American Airlines also expanded its presence in the Far East with the launch of a new service linking Tokyo Haneda to New York JFK.

Both inaugural services departed within minutes of one another yesterday morning.

Another oneworld carrier, Japan Airlines, has been operating flights from Tokyo Haneda to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris since October last year.

Speaking yesterday, Jamie Cassidy, BA's general manager in the Asia Pacific region, said: 'Today is a historic day for British Airways as we start our new route from Haneda, which complements our existing service from Narita.

'The start of this route allows us to offer our customers greater choice and flexibility. We are proud to be the only carrier operating from Haneda direct to the UK.'

He went on to say that the new service demonstrates BA's commitment to Japan and represents a step forward in its relationship with Japan Airlines.