British Airways will increase non-stop flights to Tampa

Tampa International Airport’s gain will be Orlando International Airport’s loss as British Airways plans to increase non-stop service between Tampa and London Gatwick Airport from five to seven days a week beginning March 27.Orlando will lose two of its nine weekly London flights, British Airways said.Tampa is reducing federal inspection station fees and providing billboard marketing for British Airways.

British Airways flights on Boeing 777 aircraft have averaged 231 passengers per inbound flights to Tampa from January through August, a Tampa International report said.

The Pinellas and Hillsborough convention and visitors bureaus have been heavily lobbying to expand the London service – which did has not operated on Tuesdays and Thursdays – because the flights from Great Britain bring many tourists.

The Associated Press said that Air France on Tuesday announced they will start three non-stop flights a week between Orlando and Paris, the first new long-haul service for carrier in six years.