BA Flights

British Airways have teamed up with UKTI to offer a number of free business class seats on their flights to all BA destinations (taxes and charges still need to be paid). This initiative is being launched as part of a programme to help UK businesses succeed in the current economic climate.

As part of the offer BA are making 4000 free business seats available for eligible TAP applicants that are new to the scheme, i.e. have had no previous TAP grants at any time back to 1 April 2006. All the seats available will be Club World or Club Europe i.e. business class and are available on BA routes only. The flights will originate at Heathrow or Gatwick with complimentary domestic add-ons available from BA's UK regional airports if necessary.

In order that the BA offer does not infringe European state aid rules BA will ask recipients to pay taxes and charges. (Seemingly this should be no more than £150 for a flight to Australia and significantly less for shorter destinations.) Free seats may not be available on all flights.

A new to TAP applicant would of course normally have their TAP application passed to an International Trade Adviser for their agreement before the application could be signed off by us, the ATO. If a new to TAP applicant also wishes to apply for the BA offer we would need to make this clear when we pass the application forward to the TAP Regional Contact. The ITA can then progress the separate BA flight application in discussion with the business.

General Requirements and Exclusions

· The offer will be available for eligible SMEs in ATO led groups or those applying on a solo basis and will be made available on a 1st come 1st served basis. An application can be made in relation to any trade fair (as defined in the TAP Terms & Conditions) with a start date up to 31 March 2010.

· Only one free flight will be allowed for any one business. BA will only make available a maximum of 5 “offer” tickets for any single flight.

· - If they are not already members applicants will need to sign up for British Airways loyalty programmes before BA will accept their application (Travellers Executive Club and On Business). An e-mail link for joining will be on the free flight application form, or they can simply go to the BA website (this process itself could take up to four days so should be the first step for the applicant).

If you intend to exhibit at any of our exhibitions for the first time since 1 April 2006, and believe you may be eligible to take up this offer, please contact Shane Kimberley, or visit the UKTI website at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk 'Export - Welcome page', for further information.