OREANDA-NEWS. British Airways’ winter 2013 schedule starts this weekend (October 26), with a new winter sun route and increased frequencies to a selection of destinations.

The airline will launch weekly flights from Heathrow to Gran Canaria from October 26.

British Airways Holidays packages to the island include seven nights at the 3* Club Maspalomas Bungalows from Ј299 per person for travel in January, including return flights from Heathrow and accommodation on a self catering basis. Alternatively, there’s seven nights at the 4* Paradise Lago Taurito Hotel from Ј459 per person for travel in January, including return flights from Heathrow and accommodation on an all-inclusive basis. Seven nights at the 5* Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort is also available from Ј589 per person for travel in January, including return flights from Heathrow and accommodation only.

Lynne Embleton, director of strategy, said: “Gran Canaria is a fantastic destination for holiday makers, especially families, with over a half a million people from Britain visiting every year.

“We’ve had a really positive response to the destination since it went on sale, which we attribute to great prices on our British Airways holidays and the fact this is the only direct flight from Heathrow to the island.”

Other changes to the winter schedule, from that of summer 2013, include increases from Heathrow to Chennai (five to six per week), Seattle (from seven to 10 per week), Miami (from 14 to 18 per week), Rio de Janeiro (from six to seven per week), Mexico City (from three to four per week), Tripoli (from three to four per week) and Freetown (from three to four per week).

Gatwick will also increase services to Marrakech (from seven to 10 per week) and Salzburg (from four to eight per week).