British Airways is to launch its new thrice-weekly direct service from
Gatwick to Male in the Maldives from October 25, 2009.

The new service will be the first time ever British Airways has offered
flights to the Maldives. The new flights to Malé will depart Sundays,
Tuesdays and Fridays.

As well as flights to The Maldives, British Airways will be adding Sharm El
Sheikh to its already extensive network. Richard Tams, British Airways’
head of UK & Ireland sales, said: “These new routes will be great assets to
the BA network and a real winner with customers. They are both perfect
holiday destinations, known for their great beaches and fantastic diving.
We’re particularly pleased to be serving a completely new destination, the
Maldives and returning to Sharm El Sheikh. We expect both routes to perform
well.”

Holidays in The Maldives will introduce British Airways customers to a
fantastic selection of tiny palm fringed coral islands each with its own
exclusive resort hotel. Each of these international standard hotels in the
Maldives, is four or five stars in quality offering a great range of
activities such as diving, snorkelling, sailing and fishing, or you can
simply laze your days away sunbathing on a stunning white, sandy beach.

Among the hotels suitable for a romantic break in the Maldives, are the
recently opened 5 star Coco Palm Bodu Hithi, the 5 star Four Seasons Resort
at Landaa and the 5 star Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa. Seaplane or
boat transfers are included in the price of all British Airways Maldives
resort hotels regardless if customers book a hotel only stay or a package
holiday.

The routes will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft with a three-class
configuration: World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World.