One Visa for Two Fascinating Destinations British Airways and Tourism Ireland team up to offer special fares to stunning destinations in Britain and Ireland China, December 18, 2014 – British Airways in conjunction with Tourism Ireland today announced special fares for Chinese travellers to experience all that Britain and Ireland have to offer. Only a single visa is now required for Chinese nationals travelling to these two destinations, according to the newly implemented British-Irish visa scheme. These attractive return fares, valid for travellers departing from Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu, to Ireland with a stopover in London start from: CNY 2,380 in World Traveller economy class and CNY 7,880 in World Traveller Plus premium economy class to Dublin and Belfast CNY 2,880 in World Traveller economy class and CNY 8,880 in World Traveller Plus premium economy class to Shannon and Cork The special fares are on sale on ba.com until January 18, 2015 and are valid for outbound travel from China before May 31, 2015. Customers flying from China to Dublin and Belfast can also enjoy an even faster and smoother transition to connecting flights under the same roof at award-winning Terminal 5, British Airways’ state-of-the-art home at London Heathrow. British Airways currently offers at least five flights a day from London Heathrow to Dublin and Belfast, while Aer Lingus provides British Airways’ customers from London Heathrow with at least three flights a day to Shannon and Cork. In addition, British Airways and Tourism Ireland will launch an online competition encouraging local travel agencies to design tailor-made routes and packages for Britain and Ireland destinations. Entries can be submitted to tiba.travellinkdaily.com. Two winners will be selected with the grand prize being a round-trip ticket to Ireland in British Airways’ World Traveller economy class and accommodation sponsored by Tourism Ireland. “The special fares, glamour of London, picturesque scenery of Ireland, simplified visa scheme and smooth connection at Heathrow T5 presents a highly attractive package to Chinese travellers.” said Richard Tams, British Airways executive vice president China. “Ireland’s fantastic coastline, stunning scenery, wonderful history and heritage, world class golf and our famous Irish hospitality have never been closer to you with the launch of the new British Irish Visa Scheme and British Airways’ convenient flights. We look forward to welcoming you.” said Amanda Burns, Tourism Ireland Regional Manager Middle East and Asia. Customers are encouraged to book flights early as seats are limited. For further information, please visit ba.com. -Ends- Notes to editors Terms and conditions for special fares Offer must be booked by January 18, 2015 and is available for outbound travel from Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu by May 31, 2015. Limited seats available. UK destinations: London Ireland destinations: Dublin, Belfast, Shannon and Cork. Fares do not include taxes and other surcharges Fares are subject to change of exchange rate fluctuations. Date changes permitted at CNY1, 200, except for the outbound journey. A fare difference and change fee can be paid to make date changes on the outbound journey. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or discounts. Other terms and conditions apply. Terms and conditions for online competition Full terms and conditions of this competition will be available at tiba.travellinkdaily.com. British-Irish visa scheme For more details, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/british-irish-visa-scheme. About British Airways British Airways’ route network currently serves more than 179 destinations in 75 countries. The airline has been flying to mainland China for over 30 years and currently offers daily flights from Beijing and Shanghai to London, and five flights a week in summer schedule as well as three flights a week in winter schedule from Chengdu to London. Now travellers can also book flights on ba.com to travel to the UK and Europe from Chongqing, Changsha, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Nanjing, Sanya, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Xiamen via Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu on Air China, China Eastern Airlines or Hainan Airlines or via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific or Dragonair. British Airways is half way through its £5 billion investment in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground. The airline operates the majority of its flights from Terminal 5, its state-of-the-art home at London Heathrow. This terminal is capable of handling 30 million customers a year and is the size of 50 football pitches. In March 2014, Terminal 5 was named by Skytrax as the Best Airport Terminal for the third year running, based on surveys of 12 million frequent travellers and also won the Best Airport Shopping award. In October 2014, British Airways has triumphed in the 2014 Business Traveller Awards, winning Best Airline, Best Short-Haul Airline and Best Frequent Flyer Programme. The airline has held on to the top spot for another year after winning these three categories at the 2013 awards. In February 2014, British Airways was named the UK’s Consumer Superbrand of 2014, securing the top position against 1,500 other brands and becoming the first airline or travel brand to win the prestigious title.  For further information on British Airways, please visit ba.com. British Airways press office contacts Paradigm Communications Beijing Office　　　　　　　　　　　　Shanghai Office T: (010) 8580 0783　　　　　　　　　T: (021) 6360 5511 Cherry Zhang　　　　　　　　　　　　Seara Zhong E: cherryzhang@paradigm.com.hk　　E: searazhong@paradigm.com.hk Cassie Chen　　　　　　　　　　　　Shaley Han E: cassiechen@paradigm.com.hk　　E: shaleyhan@paradigm.com.hk About Tourism Ireland Tourism Ireland is the organization responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination. Tourism Ireland China has been working closely with Chinese trade and media since it’s established in 2005. Tourism is the island of Ireland’s largest indigenous industry. 2014 has been another strong year for tourism, with today’s CSO figures confirming growth of almost +9% in overseas visitors to Ireland for the January to October period, about 532,000 additional visitors when compared with the same ten-month period in 2013. Revenue generated by international visitors is expected to be approximately 3.7 billion, +10.9% increase over last year. About Ireland The island of Ireland is located in west Europe, surrounded by Irish Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Ireland is called the Emerald Isle for good reason, as it’s covered by lush green grasses that are fed by its mild climate. Ireland has 4 provinces and 32 counties, in which 26 are in the Republic of Ireland and 6 in Northern Ireland. The population of the whole island is around 6.3 million. For further information, please contact Tourism Ireland: Shanghai Office: Kila Du, Tel: 021-63858530; Email: dufangxue@tlmchina.com