INCREASED bookings for the start of the millennium have convinced British Airways to be the first UK airline to commit to flying over the New Year period.
BA said bookings were up 150% on this time last year, with New York and Barbados the most popular routes.
However, BA will operate a reduced schedule for the period in line with its usual Christmas/New Year policy.
Half of BA’s short-haul flights and 75% of long-haul flights will operate.
There will be no short-haul UK and European flights at midnight 1999, but long-haul and Concorde services will operate through midnight on December 31. Last year 55 flights flew through midnight.
All employees working on the night of December 31 will be given £400 or four worldwide tickets.
Although BA has said it will fly on New Year’s Eve, the carrier has also said it reserves the right to steer clear of areas it does not consider safe.
BA is currently coming to the end of a £100m investment to ensure its computers are safe from any technical problems.
Virgin Atlantic said it will not fly over the New Year because there will not be the demand and it wants to give staff time off.
British Midland does not have any overnight flights, but New Year schedules will be reduced due to customer demand.