BA launches cheap flights to Europe

British Airways is launching cheap flights to destinations including Germany, France, Italy and Spain as part of a rebranding of its CitiExpress arm.

One-way fares will start from as little as £25, including taxes, under BA Connect as the new arm will be known.

The regional airline currently flies from bases including Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Southampton and London City airport.

The move is part of BA's attempts to increase profitability on short-haul routes in response to growing competition from low-cost airlines Ryanair and easyJet.

Under the shake-up, BA Connect will have single-class cabins, buy-on-board catering, and customers will be able to make changes to tickets, albeit for an administration fee of £30, no matter how little the ticket cost.

The new airline will take-off for the first time on March 26th 2006, until which time British Airways CitiExpress will continue to fly as normal.

"The restructuring of the regional business will set us apart in this fiercely competitive market," said David Evans, managing director of British Airways CitiExpress.

"We have an innovative service promise for business and short-break leisure air travellers, offering year-round, one-way prices that match the no-frills airlines and the added service promise and resources of an airline of British Airways' size and stature."

Details of BA Connect fares will available on www.ba.com from February 1st 2006.