British Airways to launch routes to Maldives and Egypt

British Airways is launching two new routes from Gatwick for holidaymakers looking for winter sun.

The airline says it will fly to both Male in the Maldives and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt from 25 October on a thrice-weekly basis. It will be the first time that BA has operated services to the Maldives. BA previously served Sharm el Sheikh through its franchise operator GB Airways, which was acquired by easyJet in 2007.

The services will use Boeing 777 aircraft configured with three classes: World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World.

A British Airways’ spokesman said: "We have been looking at the whole of our longhaul network at Gatwick, and after some detailed research we felt that these two new routes to the Maldives and Sharm El Sheikh would prove popular. We have also recently announced the start of services to Montego Bay in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

"We are also increasing the number of flights each week this winter to St Lucia, Barbados and Trindad. All these routes focus on great beaches and a fantastic holiday environment where customers can relax in the sun and get away from the British winter."

Tickets on both new routes are now on sale through www.ba.com and direct through BA reservations on 0844 493 0787. Lead-in fares from Gatwick to Male will start from £629 return including taxes, fees and charges. Flights to the Maldives will depart from Gatwick on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 7.10pm returning from Male on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 1.20pm local time.

Lead-in fares from Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh will start from £339 return including taxes, fees and charges. Flights to Sharm El Sheikh will depart from Gatwick on Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 10pm returning on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 11am local time.

Source: timesonline.co.uk