BA CityFlyer
A wholly owned British Airways regional airline subsidiary operating domestic, European and charter services primarily from London City Airport.
Last updated August 27, 2026
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Overview
BA CityFlyer is a British regional airline and wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways. It operates under British Airways branding, including the parent airline’s aircraft colours, titles and flight numbers, rather than presenting itself to passengers as an independent consumer-facing airline. Its principal base is London City Airport, from which it provides domestic and European services, with additional scheduled and charter flying from airports including Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Stansted and Belfast City. The company was created in 2007 after British Airways sold BA Connect to Flybe. That transaction excluded British Airways’ London City Airport operation and its associated fleet of ten Avro RJ100 regional jets. British Airways therefore revived the CityFlyer operating concept as a new wholly owned subsidiary to preserve and develop the London City operation. BA CityFlyer received its Air Operators Certificate on 8 February 2007 and began flying on 25 March 2007. The airline initially focused on business-oriented regional connectivity, particularly routes serving London’s financial and commercial markets. Its London City operation gave British Airways a presence at an airport close to central London and suited to short-haul routes operated by smaller aircraft. Over time, BA CityFlyer also expanded its leisure exposure, adding or operating seasonal services to destinations such as Ibiza, Palma, Venice and other European holiday markets. Fleet development was a central part of the company’s early history. Two Avro RJ85 aircraft were added in 2008 to improve performance and economics and to mitigate seasonal payload restrictions affecting the existing RJ100 fleet. Later in 2008, the company announced an order for Embraer E-Jets comprising six 76-seat E170s and five 98-seat E190s, together with options for three additional E190s. The first E190 entered service in 2010, supporting the replacement and modernization of the earlier regional-jet fleet. BA CityFlyer broadened its airport footprint during the 2010s. It announced flights from London Stansted for summer 2016 and subsequently announced seasonal services from Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin and Birmingham to leisure destinations in Spain, Italy, Greece and France. These initiatives represented a return of British Airways-branded regional flying to several airports outside London after an absence of almost a decade. The company also operated seasonal flights between London City and Manchester using Embraer E190 aircraft. The business reported strong financial growth in 2018, with profit increasing by 28% and revenue by 18%, according to the cited reference material. It also carried more than 2.8 million passengers in 2019, a 4.8% increase over 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic subsequently led to network and staffing changes. In 2020, BA CityFlyer announced the closure of its Edinburgh crew base, with affected employees offered the option of relocating to London City Airport. The company also announced a Southampton operation beginning in May 2021, offering primarily weekend services to 14 European destinations. In September 2024, it announced the withdrawal of its remaining Southampton services after ending its winter 2024 flying there. BA CityFlyer holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence. This permits the carriage of passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with at least 20 seats. Its role within the British Airways group is therefore both operational and network-oriented: it supplies regional capacity for British Airways while enabling the group to serve airports and city pairs that may be unsuitable for larger mainline aircraft. The airline’s current activities remain centered on British Airways-branded domestic, European and charter flying, although its exact network and fleet composition vary by season.
History
BA CityFlyer originated from British Airways’ need to preserve its London City Airport operation after the 2007 sale of BA Connect to Flybe. The transaction transferred BA Connect but did not include the London City operation or its associated fleet of ten Avro RJ100 regional jets. British Airways responded by reviving the CityFlyer concept as a new wholly owned subsidiary. The company received a United Kingdom Air Operators Certificate on 8 February 2007 and began operations on 25 March of that year. The new airline inherited a role centered on short-haul regional flying from London City Airport. London City’s location and runway characteristics favored smaller regional aircraft and made the airport particularly useful for business travelers serving central London and European commercial centers. BA CityFlyer operated all flights in British Airways colours, with British Airways titles and flight numbers, integrating the subsidiary into the parent carrier’s customer proposition and network. In summer 2008, the company added two Avro RJ85 aircraft. The additions addressed both operating economics and seasonal performance constraints: payload restrictions could otherwise reduce the number of passengers carried by the existing aircraft on some summer days. Later that year, BA CityFlyer announced a substantial Embraer E-Jet order consisting of six 76-seat E170s and five 98-seat E190s, with options for three more E190s. The first E190 arrived in 2010. This fleet transition gave the airline larger and more modern regional aircraft while retaining the flexibility needed for London City and other short-haul markets. During the mid-2010s, BA CityFlyer expanded beyond its core London City base. In February 2016 it announced flights from London Stansted beginning in May. During January and February 2017, it announced summer seasonal services from Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin and Birmingham to destinations in Spain, Italy, Greece and France. These moves marked the return of British Airways-branded regional flying to parts of the United Kingdom that had lacked such services for nearly ten years. The airline also operated seasonal London City–Manchester flights with Embraer E190 aircraft. The network combined business and leisure objectives. London City remained associated with financial and commercial traffic, while newer services to destinations such as Ibiza, Palma and Venice broadened the airline’s exposure to leisure demand. The company also operated scheduled and charter flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Stansted and Belfast City, with routes changing according to season and commercial requirements. The airline reported strong financial performance in 2018, with profit increasing by 28% and revenue by 18%. It subsequently carried more than 2.8 million passengers in 2019, a 4.8% increase from the preceding year. The COVID-19 pandemic then prompted significant operational adjustments. In July 2020, BA CityFlyer announced that its Edinburgh crew base would close on 31 October. The change affected ground-based office roles and gave pilots and cabin crew the option of relocating to London City Airport. The company pursued a further airport initiative during the recovery period. In December 2020, it announced plans to operate from Southampton Airport from May 2021, primarily with weekend flights to 14 European destinations. The Southampton service was later reduced and ultimately withdrawn: in September 2024 BA CityFlyer announced the end of its remaining services there after all winter 2024 flights had already ceased. BA CityFlyer has also experienced operational incidents. On 13 February 2009, Flight 8456, an Avro RJ100 arriving from Amsterdam, suffered a nose-gear collapse on landing at London City Airport. Three passengers received minor injuries, two staying in hospital overnight, while the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair. The technical investigation identified a fatigue crack in the landing-gear main fitting, associated with poor manufacturing surface finish and incomplete incorporation of a manufacturer service bulletin. On 4 January 2025, Flight 7016, an Embraer E190 flying from Florence to London Stansted, experienced a left-engine failure and diverted to Milan Malpensa. It landed safely without injuries and was later held for an engine replacement. BA CityFlyer holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, permitting the carriage of passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats. Its continuing function within British Airways is to provide flexible regional capacity, connect London City with domestic and European destinations, and support selected seasonal and charter markets using aircraft smaller than those commonly deployed by the parent airline’s mainline short-haul operation.
- 2024
Southampton services withdrawn
[1]The airline announced the withdrawal of its remaining Southampton services after ending all winter 2024 flights from the airport.
- 2021
Southampton operation begins
[1]BA CityFlyer began primarily weekend services from Southampton to 14 European destinations.
- 2020
Edinburgh crew base closure announced
[1]The airline announced that its Edinburgh crew base would close on 31 October amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2019
Passenger traffic exceeds 2.8 million
[1]BA CityFlyer carried more than 2.8 million passengers, representing a 4.8% increase over 2018.
- 2017
Return of British Airways regional flying to several UK airports
[1]Seasonal services were announced from Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin and Birmingham to European leisure destinations.
- 2016
London Stansted flying announced
[1]The airline announced flights from London Stansted beginning in May.
- 2010
First Embraer E190 delivered
[1]The first Embraer E190 from the announced fleet order was received and entered service.
- 2008
Avro RJ85 aircraft added
[1]Two Avro RJ85 aircraft joined the fleet to improve performance and economics and reduce the impact of summer payload restrictions.
- 2008
Embraer E-Jet order announced
[1]BA CityFlyer announced an order for six Embraer E170s and five Embraer E190s, with options for three additional E190s.
- 2007
BA CityFlyer is established and begins flying
[1]Following the sale of BA Connect to Flybe, British Airways established BA CityFlyer to retain its London City Airport flying. The airline received its Air Operators Certificate on 8 February and began operations on 25 March.
Products and positioning
A British Airways regional feeder and network-extension airline combining business-oriented London City connectivity with selected European leisure and charter services.
Scheduled passenger flights · 2007
London City regional services
BA CityFlyer’s core offering is a network of British Airways-branded domestic and European flights from London City Airport. The operation is designed for regional city pairs and uses aircraft suited to the airport’s constraints and business-oriented catchment. Services operate with British Airways colours, titles and flight numbers, making the subsidiary part of the wider British Airways network from a passenger perspective.
Seasonal passenger flights · 2017
European leisure services
The airline has supplemented its business-focused London City schedule with seasonal routes to European leisure destinations. Markets mentioned in the reference material include Ibiza, Palma and Venice, as well as destinations in Spain, Italy, Greece and France served from several United Kingdom airports.
Scheduled and charter aviation · 2007
Regional and charter operations
In addition to regular London City services, BA CityFlyer operates or has operated scheduled and charter flights from airports including Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Stansted and Belfast City. The exact network varies by season and commercial planning. Its Type A operating licence also permits the carriage of passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with at least 20 seats.
Regional aircraft platform · 2010
Embraer E170 and E190 operations
Embraer E-Jets became the principal modern regional aircraft platform associated with BA CityFlyer after the company ordered E170 and E190 aircraft in 2008. The first E190 was received in 2010. These aircraft provide capacity and range appropriate to short-haul domestic and European routes and have been used on both London City and other seasonal services.
Brand decisions
2024
Withdraw Southampton servicesStrategyBackground
BA CityFlyer had already ended all winter 2024 flights from Southampton and reassessed the remaining operation.
Action taken
The airline announced in September 2024 that it would withdraw its remaining Southampton services.
Aftermath
Southampton ceased to be part of the airline’s remaining operating network.
2020
Close Edinburgh crew baseStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic reduced aviation demand and prompted operational restructuring.
Action taken
BA CityFlyer announced that the Edinburgh crew base would close on 31 October 2020, while offering pilots and cabin crew the option of relocating to London City Airport.
Aftermath
Several ground-based office jobs were lost and the airline consolidated crew resources around London City Airport.
2020
Add Southampton operationStrategyBackground
The airline sought to create additional post-pandemic leisure flying from a regional United Kingdom airport.
Action taken
BA CityFlyer announced flights from Southampton Airport beginning in May 2021, primarily on weekends and serving 14 European destinations.
Aftermath
The Southampton operation launched in 2021 but was later withdrawn, with the remaining services ending after the 2024 winter schedule.
2017
Return to selected UK regional airportsStrategyBackground
British Airways had been absent from several regional airports for almost ten years and was seeking additional seasonal leisure opportunities.
Action taken
BA CityFlyer announced summer services from Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin and Birmingham to destinations in Spain, Italy, Greece and France.
Aftermath
The airline broadened its business-oriented London City role with a more visible seasonal leisure presence.
2016
Expand to London StanstedStrategyBackground
BA CityFlyer’s principal base was London City Airport, but the airline sought to extend British Airways regional operations to another London airport.
Action taken
The company announced flights from London Stansted beginning in May 2016.
Aftermath
The expansion added another operating point to the British Airways regional network.
2008
Order Embraer E-JetsProduct launchBackground
The airline needed to develop its regional fleet beyond the inherited Avro RJ aircraft and support its London City and wider short-haul network.
Action taken
BA CityFlyer ordered six 76-seat E170s and five 98-seat E190s, with options for three additional E190s.
Aftermath
The first E190 was delivered in 2010, beginning the company’s transition to Embraer regional jets.
2007
Create a dedicated subsidiary for London City Airport flyingStrategyBackground
British Airways’ sale of BA Connect to Flybe excluded the London City Airport operation and ten associated Avro RJ100 aircraft.
Action taken
British Airways established BA CityFlyer as a wholly owned subsidiary to continue and develop the retained London City operation.
Aftermath
The subsidiary began operations in March 2007 and continued providing British Airways-branded regional services.
Sources1 sources
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