By Business & Finance 
British Airways has announced that flights from Dublin and Belfast City Airport will be moving to the airline’s flagship Heathrow home, Terminal 5, from the end of October.
Offering up to eight flights a day from Dublin and up to six flights from Belfast, British Airways’ current schedule has been operating into Terminal 1 since both routes started in June 2012.
The move is expected to cut minimum connection times to onward British Airways flights from Terminal 5 by 30 minutes, to just one hour.
Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways, told guests at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce dinner last night that the move will ensure that customers benefit from quicker and smoother connections to over 100 cities worldwide served by British Airways from Terminal 5.
Mr Walsh said: “I am delighted that British Airways passengers from Ireland will soon benefit from this relocation to our dedicated hub at Terminal 5.
“Delivering a top class and unparalleled travelling experience for our customers is of paramount importance. Whether making a journey for business or leisure, passengers will now easily be able to connect to important long-haul and European destinations without having to transfer between terminals.
“In addition to enjoying the excellent facilities at our award winning terminal, this move reduces flight transfer time to just 60 minutes, and means that customers have a quicker journey through our dedicated terminal at Heathrow.”
Kevin Toland, chief executive of Dublin Airport Authority said the move to T5 would greatly enhance the product on offer to BA’s passengers flying to and from Dublin Airport. “Over the past 18 months, BA has twice increased capacity on its Dublin-London route and we’re delighted with today’s news that its Dublin flights will be relocating to Terminal 5 in Heathrow from October.”
Terminal 5 offers eligible customers the choice of six lounges, known as ‘galleries’ to relax in, each embracing a decadent look and feel with crystal chandeliers, art installations, mood lighting to reflect the time of day as well as providing complimentary refreshments. Exclusive spa treatments are also available at the Elemis Travel Spa to all First and Club World passengers as well as Gold Executive Club members flying long-haul.
