British Airways is expanding from London City airport with a new route to Rome this winter – ahead of further growth in 2019.
A fifth daily winter frequency is also being added on weekdays between the Docklands airport and Zurich.
Further network growth is planned with four additional Embraer E190s joining BA CityFlyer during 2019, bringing the total fleet up to 26 aircraft.
The new aircraft will add nearly 20% more seats from London City in 2019 and enable more new destinations to be added.
Rome is the first of a number of new routes and extra flights to be announced for next year.
BA CityFlyer managing director, Tom Stoddart, said: “The four new aircraft shows our commitment to giving our customers an even bigger range of destinations and flight times.
“This growth will see the number of job opportunities in east London increase with direct employment opportunities for pilots, cabin crew and engineers, as well as indirect roles for our various suppliers in and around the airport.”
BA commercial and customer general manager, Luke Hayhoe, added: “It is very positive to continue the year-on year-expansion at London City airport. We added 13% more capacity in 2018 and will add nearly 20 per cent in 2019.
“The new route to Rome will increase the number of British Airways’ destinations from London City airport to 33.”
London City chief commercial officer, Richard Hill, said: “BA CityFlyer is London City airport’s largest airline partner and this investment in four additional E-Jets demonstrates absolute commitment to its base at London’s most central airport, and continued growth as we enter 2019.
“An enlarged fleet will mean more choice for tourists and business travellers alike, giving customers more flights to the destinations they love, under the British Airways brand.
“Introducing a Rome service and adding frequency to Zurich, already one of our busiest routes, keeps London connected to major European cities, and is a real endorsement of the London City proposition by our home-based carrier.
“We look forward to further new route announcements in the near future.”