The inaugural British Airways flight to Tenerife has taken to the skies from London Gatwick, with a completely full quota of customers on board.

The inaugural flight was hosted by British Airways’ account manager, Lucie Wesley, who welcomed aboard VIPs from Tenerife.

Guests included the island’s president, Ricardo Melchior and the chief executive of the Tenerife Tourism Corporation, Miguel Ángel Santos.

They were accompanied by 200 customers who joined them on the BA2730 flight.

Melchior commented: “We are thrilled to welcome British Airways back to the island of Tenerife.

“These new flights are already proving incredibly popular and perfectly complement the fantastic quality accommodation options we can offer visitors to our island.”

The UK is the largest overseas outbound market for Tenerife, with nearly 1.6 million British tourists travelling to the island in 2012.

Peter Simpson, British Airways’ Gatwick director, added: “Tenerife is a destination that especially appeals to the UK market due to its year round sunny climate, the diversity of its landscape and beaches and the wealth of activities it can offer.”

The new British Airways service operates five times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and offers the first business-class service for five years from the UK to the island.

British Airways’ new “hand baggage only” fares are also available on this route.