Latest news with #NeilChernoff
Zawya
09-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
British Airways wants to see UK added to China's visa waiver scheme
British Airways would like to see Britain added to China's growing list of countries eligible for its 30-day visa-free scheme to increase demand after suspending its Beijing flights last year, an executive said on Wednesday. China has been steadily extending its 30-day visa waiver scheme. As of June, it included 55 countries. It does not include Britain, although British passport holders last year were included in a 240-hour transit visa-free policy. "We're working with the UK government and diplomatically with the China government around seeing if we can get the UK into that programme," the airline's Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Neil Chernoff, told media in Shanghai. "I think that that's one way that we can improve demand." British Airways suspended flights to Beijing in October, one of several foreign carriers that pulled Chinese services as they struggle with a ban on flying over Russian airspace and a slower than expected rebound in Chinese travel after the pandemic. Longer flights around Russia mean higher fuel and crew costs, and aircraft utilisation is lower, putting airlines that cannot overfly Russia at a disadvantage to Chinese carriers that can take those shorter routes. "In a place like China, which is not subject to the same restrictions we have in the UK, they can obviously offer a more competitive product because their flight times are less," Chernoff said. British Airways, which still flies daily to Shanghai and Hong Kong, is constantly evaluating whether to bring back its Beijing route. Demand has not caught up with increasing supply since the pandemic, Chernoff said. When the direct flights from London Heathrow to Beijing were halted, the airline initially said the suspension would last until November 2025, but there is no timeline yet of when they will resume, Chernoff said at an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of British Airways' Shanghai route. Britain's Foreign Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. British Airways has a joint venture with state-owned China Southern and on Wednesday said it was deepening it by allowing frequent flier points to be collected and redeemed by both sides. (Reporting by Casey Hall, Sophie Yu and Lisa Barrington. Editing by Mark Potter)
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Daily Mail
The hidden gem location in Italy you can visit to avoid all the crowds - as BA launches new flight route to beauty spot
British Airways is launching new flights to a gorgeous Italian region known as the country's quiet alternative to Tuscany. The flag carrier will offer flights to Rimini, a seaside resort in the Emilia-Romagna region, three times per week. Flights will depart from London Heathrow on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays with the first leaving on May 15. BA has said the flights will operate throughout the summer season until September 27 with prices starting from £131. The airline describes Rimini as 'an old city full of charm' that's 'known for sandy beaches and the Adriatic sea'. It adds: 'Those in search of beach holidays can enjoy more than 15km of beach along the seafront, while night owls can soak up the city's vibrant nightlife.' When it comes to history, BA recommends visiting the Arch of Augustus, built in around 27BC, and the Tiberius Bridge, which dates back to the first century AD. Children will love Rimini's 'Italia in Miniatura' theme park which has 273 miniature models of Italian monuments. Tourists will also have access to the wider Emilia-Romagna region, which Rough Guides has described as 'Tuscany without the crowds'. Holidaymakers can reach Bologna, known as Italy's food capital, by train in around an hour. And if you're looking for a real adventure, you can even tick another country off your bucket list on a trip to Rimini. San Marino, a microstate that sits within northern Italy, is just a 28 minute drive from Rimini. Top sites in San Marino include the Palazzo Pubblico, the country's official seat of government, and the Torre Cesta, a castle that dates back to the 13th century. Neil Chernoff, BA's chief Planning and Strategy officer, said: 'Italy continues to prove hugely popular with our customers, which is why it's our biggest European destination and second globally behind the US. 'Last month, we saw a 10 per cent increase in searches for summer flights to Italy compared to 2023, so we're pleased to be an offering an even bigger choice of destinations.' And Rimini isn't the only destination that's becoming easier to reach. Brits can also take advantage of new direct flights to Djerba, a Mediterranean island off the coast of Tunisia. easyJet has launched flights to the dreamy island from both London Luton and Manchester airports. Cape Verde has also become easier to reach with both TUI and easyJet launching new flights to the African hotspot.
Tourism Breaking News
01-04-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
British Airways announces additional flights from Riyadh to London Heathrow this summer boosting travel and trade connections between the UK and Saudi Arabia
Post Views: 112 British Airways is improving connectivity between Saudi Arabia and the UK by increasing its Riyadh to London Heathrow service from seven to 13 flights per week for the summer season. Starting from 30 March 2025, customers will benefit from nearly double the number of flights, with more than 80,000 additional seats versus last year. This expansion will strengthen connections between the UK and Saudi Arabia, supporting growing demand from both business and leisure travellers, who can now take advantage of the added frequencies for business trips, family getaways or reconnecting with loved ones. The new flight additions will operate nearly every day of the week (excluding Tuesdays), strategically timed to offer customers more flexibility for onward connections within British Airways' extensive global network from London Heathrow to more than 200 destinations. The airline consistently has Arabic speaking cabin crew on its flights to and from Riyadh enabling them to offer a more comfortable and personalised experience on board, reinforcing the airline's deep understanding of its Saudi Arabian customers' requirements. With fares starting only from SAR 1956, travellers will have the option to choose from British Airways' four-cabin configuration*, First, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and World Traveller (economy), ensuring a tailored experience to suit every travel preference and budget, all while enjoying world-class service and comfort. British Airways' Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Neil Chernoff, said: 'We are delighted to be increasing our services from Riyadh to London Heathrow, giving customers more options to travel between both regions, connecting families, friends and businesses. 'This addition to our schedule not only benefits our many business and leisure customers, but also strengthens our long-standing connection and cultural ties between both two kingdoms, and we look forward to welcoming our customers on board this year.' British Airways' Riyadh flight times are as follows (all local): FLIGHT NO CITY TIME OF DEP TIME OF ARR FREQUENCY IN A WEEK AIRCRAFT RIYADH BA262 RUH-LHR 00:35 05:30 7 DAYS 777 BA258 RUH-LHR 08:25 13:20 6 DAYS (except Tuesday) 787 BA263 LHR-RUH 14:05 22:45 7 DAYS 777 BA259 LHR-RUH 22:00 06:35+1 6 DAYS (except Monday) 787 Tickets for the additional Riyadh services are now available for booking on
Zawya
01-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
British Airways adds more flights on Riyadh-London sector
Flag-carrier British Airways has announced that it is improving connectivity between Saudi Arabia and UK by increasing its Riyadh to London Heathrow service from seven to 13 flights per week for the summer season. The new flight additions will operate nearly every day of the week (excluding Tuesdays), strategically timed to offer customers more flexibility for onward connections within British Airways' extensive global network from London Heathrow to more than 200 destinations, said the airline in a statement. The airline consistently has Arabic speaking cabin crew on its flights to and from Riyadh enabling them to offer a more comfortable and personalised experience on board, reinforcing the airline's deep understanding of its Saudi Arabian customers' requirements, it stated. The new flight took off yesterday (March 30) from King Khalid International Airport, strategically timed to offer customers more flexibility for onward connections within British Airways' extensive global network from London Heathrow to more than 200 destinations, said the airline in a statement. The customers will benefit from nearly double the number of flights, with more than 80,000 additional seats versus last year. This expansion will strengthen connections between the UK and Saudi Arabia, supporting growing demand from both business and leisure travellers, who can now take advantage of the added frequencies for business trips, family getaways or reconnecting with loved ones, it stated. British Airways' Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Neil Chernoff, said: "We are delighted to be increasing our services from Riyadh to London Heathrow, giving customers more options to travel between both regions, connecting families, friends and businesses." "With fares starting from SAR1956 onwards, travellers will have the option to choose from British Airways' four-cabin configuration, First, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and World Traveller (economy), ensuring a tailored experience to suit every travel preference and budget, all while enjoying world-class service and comfort," he stated. "This addition to our schedule not only benefits our many business and leisure customers, but also strengthens our long-standing connection and cultural ties between both two kingdoms, and we look forward to welcoming our customers on board this year," he added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
31-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
British Airways adds more flights on Riyadh-London sector
Flag-carrier British Airways has announced that it is improving connectivity between Saudi Arabia and UK by increasing its Riyadh to London Heathrow service from seven to 13 flights per week for the summer season. The new flight additions will operate nearly every day of the week (excluding Tuesdays), strategically timed to offer customers more flexibility for onward connections within British Airways' extensive global network from London Heathrow to more than 200 destinations, said the airline in a statement. The airline consistently has Arabic speaking cabin crew on its flights to and from Riyadh enabling them to offer a more comfortable and personalised experience on board, reinforcing the airline's deep understanding of its Saudi Arabian customers' requirements, it stated. The new flight took off yesterday (March 30) from King Khalid International Airport, strategically timed to offer customers more flexibility for onward connections within British Airways' extensive global network from London Heathrow to more than 200 destinations, said the airline in a statement. The customers will benefit from nearly double the number of flights, with more than 80,000 additional seats versus last year. This expansion will strengthen connections between the UK and Saudi Arabia, supporting growing demand from both business and leisure travellers, who can now take advantage of the added frequencies for business trips, family getaways or reconnecting with loved ones, it stated. British Airways' Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Neil Chernoff, said: "We are delighted to be increasing our services from Riyadh to London Heathrow, giving customers more options to travel between both regions, connecting families, friends and businesses." "With fares starting from SAR1956 onwards, travellers will have the option to choose from British Airways' four-cabin configuration, First, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and World Traveller (economy), ensuring a tailored experience to suit every travel preference and budget, all while enjoying world-class service and comfort," he stated. "This addition to our schedule not only benefits our many business and leisure customers, but also strengthens our long-standing connection and cultural ties between both two kingdoms, and we look forward to welcoming our customers on board this year," he added.
