British Airways' sale of BA Connect to Flybe in 2007 did not include the London City Airport operations and its associated fleet of ten Avro RJ100regional jet aircraft. This led to British Airways' decision to resurrect erstwhile Gatwick-based CityFlyer Express as a new wholly-owned subsidiary to take over this operation, as of 2007. BA CityFlyer was awarded an Air Operators Certificate on 8 February 2007, and started operations on 25 March 2007. In February 2016, BA CityFlyer announced that it would commence operating flights from London-Stansted in May 2016. In January and February 2017, they announced that they would commence summer seasonal services from Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin and Birmingham to a variety of destinations in Spain, Italy, Greece and France. This marks the return of BA to the regions after an absence of nearly 10 years. Flights will also operate in the summer between London City and Manchester, operating with Embraer 190 aircraft. In 2018, the airline reported nearly doubled profits, with profits increasing 28% and revenue up by 18%. Recently, the airline has pulled out from operating at both Birmingham and Bristol and has made several changes to its schedule increasing frequency and adding new services to Rome. On 14 July 2020, it was announced that the Edinburgh crew base is to be closed.
Fleet
, the BA CityFlyer fleet consists of the following aircraft:
Destinations
In addition to their scheduled flights from London City, the airline also operates a number of charter flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside and the Isle of Man. On weekends, London City Airport operates under restricted hours to prevent noise pollution. During the summer, BA CityFlyer operates weekend flights from London Stansted and Manchester to various European destinations.
Statistics
BA CityFlyer carried over 2.8 million passengers in 2019, a 4.8% increase from 2018.
Accidents and incidents
On 13 February 2009, BA CityFlyer Flight 8456 suffered a nose-gear collapse whilst landing at London City Airport. None of the 67 passengers or five crew members was seriously injured in the incident, but three passengers suffered minor injuries, two of whom were kept in hospital overnight. After a normal approach the nose landing-gear fractured as it was lowered onto the runway, due to the presence of a fatigue-crack in the upper internal bore of the landing-gear main fitting. It was found that the crack had formed as a result of poor surface finish during manufacture, and the incomplete embodiment of a manufacturer's service bulletin, which the landing-gear maintenance records showed as being implemented at its last overhaul in June 2006. The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair, and was written off by insurers in May 2009.
