Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) Magali Silva pointed out the upcoming British Airways’ launch of direct flights between Lima and London will consolidate tourism and foreign trade between Peru and Europe.
“We are pleased to announce our country will have a new direct connection with Europe thanks to the entry of British Airways through the Lima-London route starting from May 4, 2016. This new flight places our capital city as a regional hub,” she affirmed.
Mincetur started this approach three months ago, she said, and, thanks to the Peruvian economy’s solid foundations and tourism sector’s sustained growth, conditions were favorable to pick Lima as connection center to most destinations in South America.
She went on to add that Mincetur and Peru's Trade Office in London will promote Peruvian destinations and markets in the United Kingdom.
British Airways will operate a Boeing 777 fleet three times a week during UK summer and twice a week in the winter.
During the summer months the three flights will depart on Wednesday, from Gatwick at 13:50, arriving in Lima at 20:25; while on Friday and Sunday, flights will depart Gatwick at 11:55 and arrive in Lima at 18:30.
From October 30, 2016, the twice-weekly winter flights will depart on Wednesday and Sunday, leaving Gatwick at 10:15 on a Tuesday and landing in Lima at 17:55.
These flights have high demand from passengers travelling on a round-trip as well as high demand for cargo services, which allow trade from/to Europe to continue to flow smoothly.
British Airways flights will also connect Peruvian cities with other European metropolises such as Rome, Barcelona and Amsterdam.
In 2014, Peru welcomed 3.21 million international tourists, and 61,234 came from the United Kingdom, which accounts for 16.7% of total arrivals from Europe.
(END) NDP/SMA/RMB
Published: 8/24/2015