The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BA

  • BA stops flights to Uganda airport

    British Airways has said it is stopping all flights to and from Uganda as they are “no longer commercially viable”.

    The last flight out from Entebbe airport to London’s Heathrow will depart on October 3, the United Kingdom (UK) carrier said.

    British Airways operates four flights a week to Entebbe.

    However, their rates are not as competitive as the ones offered by other airlines, says British Broascasting Corporation (BBC) Uganda analyst, Alex Jakana.

    It offers the luxury of direct flights from Uganda to the UK, but some Ugandan travellers prefer to use airlines going via the Middle East, despite the longer journey time, he says. In a statement, British Airways said it was “sorry for any disruption” to travellers who had already booked their flights.

    Entebbe is Uganda’s busiest and only international airport.

    Every week, at least 49 domestic flights and 490 international flights depart from there, according to the travel website Tripadvisor.

  • BA’s rules on flying with children out

    Towards making flying smooth in the holiday season, British Airways has put in place some basic steps to ensure a pleasant flying experience for passengers, including children.

    According to its Country Commercial Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka, the firm has ensured  a comfortable flying experience for every passenger.

    He said: “When travelling with children, it is important to have a careful plan and take certain precautionary steps that will ensure that a child is relaxed, occupied and comfortable.’’

    He added that, being in a confined space with a noisy youngsters could  be awkward for parents and irritating to fellow flyers.

    “Most children are naturally quite excited about flying. The trick is to harness that interest, without them getting over-excited while ensuring they do not become fretful in an unfamiliar environment,” he said.

    Olayinka listed the steps to enjoy flying with children without stress to include a visit to sites such as BA.com which have comprehensive details of paperwork required for travelling with minors, so you can plan ahead.

    “You can also order children’s meals online, or get help from the hostess,” he added.

     

  • Taste of Dubai: UB40, Ali Campbell, others thrill BA’s VIPs

    Taste of Dubai: UB40, Ali Campbell, others thrill BA’s VIPs

    British Airways took its customer relations treat a notch higher recently, when VIP guests on the airline were treated to unique versions of UB40’s greatest hits, featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue who brought some reggae flavour to theTaste of Dubai Festival by performing an acoustic set in the British Airways VIP Lounge.

    BA is Taste of Dubai 2015’s official VIP Lounge and airline partner, and the talented trio performed some of the band’s best-loved tracks for special guests at Dubai’s Media City. The airline flew the artistes into put on the exclusive gig.

    Singer songwriter Ali – whose band sold more than 70million albums over the years – said he was thrilled to be invited to play and that the guys still get a huge thrill from performing.

    The 56-year-old said: “I’ve been doing this for like 30 years and I still get the same buzz – but I also still get really nervous. I find myself pacing up and down and I’ll be in the loo before the show! I can’t seem to get this Eric Clapton vibe where you just turn up and walk on!”

    Celebrities including chef Jean-Christophe Novelli have been enjoying British Airways’ generous hospitality in the sunshine at the Taste of Dubai 2015 alongside BA executives and corporate customers.

    The band recently released their own album, Silhouette, after the original UB40 line-up from the 1980s went its separate ways.

    UB40 flew all over the world performing their back catalogue of reggae-pop hits, which included more than 50 tracks which reached the UK Singles Charts.

    One of their most famous tracks is Red Red Wine – and Ali revealed the title has inspired a unique ‘Red Red Wineries’ tour, which will see the band performing huge gigs at vineyards across the world.

    Ali – who is currently on a world tour with the band – explained: “We’ve been talking about it for a few years now – it’ll be us touring the bigger vineyards playing shows. We’re going to start in Australia and New Zealand and if it goes well there, we’ll take it worldwide.

    “It could take us into vineyards in South America, Europe and South Africa – it could go everywhere really. It’ll just be a nice way of spending our time.”

    Ali – who is now a judge on New Zealand’s Got Talent – said the music industry has changed a lot since then and a band like his, growing up with very little money in Birmingham, might not have made it in today’s market.

    He laughed: “We certainly wouldn’t have made it through if we’d gone down The X Factor route!

    “Pop music kind of goes in 10 year cycles and Simon Cowell has dominated pop music all over the world really – but it’s kind of time for something else now.

    “Reggae is actually more influential now than it has ever been. If you listen to all the contemporary dance music all over the world – which we do when we travel – it’s all influenced by reggae. J-Lo recently had a No1 with a reggae vocal beat. It’s a massive influence now.”

  • BA unveils special fares

    British Mega carrier, British Airways, has announced that it will be offering special low fares to air travellers on its World Traveller and World Traveller plus cabin from Lagos and  Abuja to select global destinations including London, Europe and North America.

    The special fares, which went live since  Friday, 30 January,  offer customers great value for money with return flights to the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe starting from as low as $309.

    Announcing the offer, British Airways Country Commercial Manager for West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka, said with $309, customers travelling to London can book on British Airways World Traveller cabin and $341 to Europe.

    For customers going farther, Olayinka said they can book via Terminal 5 to New York from $722 in World Traveller and $1585 in World Traveller Plus.

    “At British Airways, we are always looking for opportunities to provide our Nigerian customers excellent value for money with an unparallelled service that they have come to expect from us. With these great fares we are hoping that our customers are spoilt for choice when choosing their favourite destinations,” he said.

    He, however, advised customers  to confirm their bookings, as these amazing return fares are limited.

    Fares exclude taxes, fees and surcharges.

  • BA excites travellers with lower fares to UK, Europe, others

    BRitish Airways (BA) and its partner, Iberia Airlines, have launched what could best be described as the most amazing offer of the year.

    The new offer, which is available for trips to the United Kingdom (UK), and select destinations in Europe, affords customers the unique opportunity to purchase a ticket for their companion for as low as N50,000, and N100,000 to US and Canada.

    Known as the ‘Companion Fare’, the new promo comes in celebration of Nigeria’s 54th Independence anniversary and are available for purchase from September 24 until October 15.

    According to the airline, with N50,000, BA/IB customers travelling to London and other destinations in the UK, Europe and North America from Lagos and Abuja in the World Traveller (Economy) class can extend to their companions or loved ones, the opportunity to experience the unparalleled service within the luxury ambience of BA cabins while those on a trip to Canada and US from Lagos and Abuja can travel for as low as N100,000 each, all fares excluding taxes.

    Giving details of the offer, British Airways Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka, said the Companion fare is available for the customers to book at all British Airways and Iberia call centres and travel agents in the country.

    He said: “This is our way of saying thank you to our customers for their support over the years especially as we celebrate Nigeria’s Independence Day. We have realised the importance of companionship while travelling, so, with this offer, we are telling our customers to take a companion or loved one along on their next trip to UK or other destinations in Europe, and pay just N100,000 for two tickets and N200,000 for two tickets to US and Canada.

    He, however, advised customers to hurry to confirm their bookings, to confirm their seats on these amazing return fares.

  • BA to reward travel consultants

    British Airways (BA) and its sister Airline Iberia plan to give its Travel Consultants in Nigeria a special Yuletide with bumper rewards of elite shopping experience.

    The firm will be rewarding travel consultants at their travel agencies across Nigeria with gifts up to N1 million from next month to December.

    According to the airline, it is giving the offer in partnership with Shoprite  to encourage and say a big thank you to the highly valued travel consultants because they are the ones that actually book customers in various travel agencies.

    British Airways Regional General Manager, West Africa, Mr Kola Olayinka, said the travel consultants were encouraged to book British Airways and win the shopping vouchers which are available in three major cities, namely Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

    According to Olayinka, “This offer is our way of saying thank you to our partners. We thought of a better way to show our appreciation to these valuable consultants, so we went into a strong partnership with one of the national biggest outlets, Shoprite who have outlets all over Nigeria and stock a good range of household items. With this, we are giving our partners the opportunity of early preparations for the yuletide season.”

    To enjoy the offer, BA partners would book BA and Iberia Airlines tickets for their customers and win the shopping vouchers as they do.

  • Ba hits out at Mourinho’s selection policy

    Demba Ba has accused Jose Mourinho of selecting his Chelsea side on name rather than form after struggling to break into the first team.

    The Senegal international scored eight goals in all competitions last season, including crucial strikes against Liverpool in the Premier League and Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

    However, his form in front of goal did not convince Mourinho to hand him regular starts and after just six in 29 appearances, he left the club to join Besiktas.

    Much to Ba’s frustration, Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o were preferred by the Portuguese head coach, something the striker believes was because they have bigger reputations in the world game.

    “Sometimes when you are at a club with a lot of big stars, the name counts for more than the statistics,” Ba is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.

    “Unfortunately, it was like that in my case. But I am happy I moved from Newcastle to Chelsea and achieved what I did.”

    Before agreeing his four-year deal in Turkey, the 29-year-old had appeared close to a move to Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Arsenal, only for Mourinho to pull the plug.

    He made an immediate impact for Besiktas with a hat-trick on his debut in their UEFA Champions League win over Feyenoord and is looking forward to facing the club he nearly joined in the play-off round.

    “I always said the move to Arsenal was close,” he added. “I thought the deal was done and I would just go and do the medical, but it went another way.

    “Jose has said why it didn’t happen. He was honest, he just didn’t want to give them a striker who could score goals, especially with the arrival of [Mesut] Ozil.

    “Now I am playing Arsenal in such a big match. It’s crazy, but I’ve no regret on everything that happened.”

  • Everton chasing Ba loan deal

    Everton have held talks with Chelsea over signing striker Demba Ba on a loan deal, according to the Daily Mail.

    Manager Roberto Martinez took Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea last season after initially attempting to bring Ba to Goodison Park.

    Lukaku’s future at Chelsea continues to remain uncertain after the Belgium international claimed no one from the club has spoken to him since September.

    The Daily Mail says that Everton have asked Chelsea whether they can have Lukaku for another season but are waiting to see if there are any developments in the interest from Atletico Madrid for the striker.

    Ba is currently on £80,000 a week but the Daily Mail reports that Everton and Chelsea are still “some distance apart from his personal terms”.

    Everton have also made an enquiry about Adama Traore at Barcelona having had success with landing Gerard Deulofeu last season.

  • BA launches cabin interiors

    BRITISH Airways (BA) has unveiled new designed seats and cabin interiors for its short-haul aircraft flying across its European and domestic networks from Heathrow and Gatwick.

    Fitting-out begins this week on the first of the 95 Airbus short-haul aircraft installing elegant new designs that take inspiration from the airline’s most recent fleet entrants, the A380 and Boeing 787.

    The elegant charcoal grey leather seats are slimmer and ergonomically designed to enable the addition of extra seats in the Euro Traveller (economy) cabin to allow more low fares.

    Innovative design maximises personal space and comfort, with chair backs devised to provide more knee space for the customer behind. Customers can also make use of an eye-level seat back tablet-holder, which can also provide storage for magazines.  A four way moveable headrest provides comfort and support.  And the seat back table moves in and out to provide optimum positioning.

    British Airways Executive Chairman, Keith Williams, said: “The short-haul landscape has changed enormously in recent years. To stay competitive and keep offering customers choice, great fares and great service, we are giving our cabins a radical makeover. There will be a new look, but the traditional British Airways’ comfort, elegance and

    value will remain.”

  • BA offers special fares to UK, US, Europe

    British Airways has announced special price discounts across all of its cabins for its Nigerian customers, Known as the Independence Anniversary Special.

    According to the airline, the offer presents the customers with the opportunity to travel at special discount rates to London, the United Kingdom, and selected destinations in Europe and the United States from Lagos and Abuja.

    According to officials of the airline, the offer will extend to the end of this month.

    Under the new arrangement, customers travelling to different destinations from Lagos and Abuja in all its cabins, can now experience the unparallel service and luxurious surroundings of British Airways for less with the Independence special offer.

    British Airways’ Country Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka, said with the Independence Anniversary Special, customers in World Traveller class can now travel direct from Lagos, or Abuja to London, the UK and select European destinations from as low as $353.

    For those travelling to the same destination in the World Traveller Plus, the fare goes for $753, while fares for Club World and First Class cabins start from as low as $2,153 and $5,353.

     

     

     

    Giving further details of the offer, Olayinka said travelling to US cities is now also cheaper on British Airways, with new fares of $653 in World Traveller, $1,453 for World Traveller Plus, $2,753 for Club World and $6,453 for First on select North American destinations, including US and Canadian cities.

    “We are constantly looking for new ways to make our customers happy and satisfied, and also give value to our clientele. The fare is exclusive of all surcharges and taxes, and the selling is between February 1 and February 28, while outbound travel period run from February 1 to June 14, this year,” she pointed out.

    He said the offer has once again reiterated the fact that British Airways’ commitment to offering more value for money for its teeming Nigerian customers, and shows how much the airline values its Nigerian customers.

    “We are always looking for new ways to make our customers happy and satisfied, and also give them value, and the Independence anniversary provides us with such a unique opportunity,” he said. He promised that the airline will continue to offer its Nigerian customers great fares, and a choice of services and onboard products, adding that all fares quoted are exclusive of all surcharges and taxes.