British Airways: services to Ukraine are no longer worthwhile

British Airways has operated between London and St Petersburg since 1971 (Pulkovo)

British Airways (BA) is suspending its London to St Petersburg flights after 48 years on the route. At the same time, the United Kingdom flag carrier is to drop its London to Kyiv service, its only Ukrainian route. The services from London Heathrow to both cities – which BA insists are “no longer commercially viable” – will cease on October 3 this year.

British Airways has operated between London and St Petersburg since 1971 and is currently the only airline offering flights to the Russian city from Heathrow. Rossiya Airlines, which is part of the Aeroflot Group, currently operates services between St Petersburg and London Gatwick.

Earlier this year, Pobeda Airlines, Russia’s only low-cost carrier and another member of Aeroflot Group, cancelled its planned flights from St Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport to London Stansted following a conflict with the Russian federal security authorities.

In Ukraine, British Airways currently provides London-Kyiv flights six times a week. BA launched its Kyiv Boryspil services in 1996 and, at its peak, provided twice-daily rotations.

Ukraine International Airlines offers services between Kyiv and London Gatwick, whilst Wizz Air operates from London Luton and Ryanair serves the Ukrainian capital from London’s Stansted airport.