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British Airways keeping Tampa-London flights

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 24, 2009

TAMPA - British Airways will continue flights between Tampa and London five days a week this winter, showing confidence in Tampa's mainstay international route despite the effects of the worldwide recession on travel, airport officials said Wednesday.

"It is a key flight for the community," Tampa International Airport director Louis Miller said after BA released its winter schedule that begins Nov. 1.

Miller, D.T. Minich and Paul Catoe met with BA officials in Tampa this year in an effort to maintain the service they eventually hope will expand to daily flights. Minich and Catoe are the top officials of the Pinellas and Hillsborough visitor bureaus, respectively.

British Airways operates 248-passenger Boeing 777s on the Tampa-London Gatwick flights that are 80 percent full on peak days, Miller said.

More than 80 percent of the passengers originate in Great Britain; Miller hopes more local business people and residents choose the international flight from Tampa.

The number of departing passengers from Tampa to London decreased 4.4 percent in May compared with a year ago, down to 5,766. There was a 10.8 percent decline in departing passengers overall.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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