BRITISH Airways has taken to the skies from Southampton Airport for the first time. 

Yesterday at 3.19pm, British Airways' first flight from Southampton, BA2927 took off bound for Faro. 

This is said to be the first flight in an "exciting" new schedule for the airline from the airport in Eastleigh. 

Under a new agreement with Southampton Airport, British Airways is set to operate up to 18 flights each weekend to 12 locations including Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, France and Germany.

At Southampton Airport yesterday, Rachel Riley, BA CityFlyer’s Head of Commercial said: "As we welcome more customers back on board, the launch of today’s operation from Southampton is an exciting extension of our service.

“This is a special day for many people, families have been separated from loved ones overseas, businesses have suffered, and we know that our customers haven’t been able to take the breaks abroad that they’ve wanted.” 

Matt Hazelwood, Group Commercial Director at AGS Airports Ltd, added that it was "a fantastic day for Southampton".

"We are absolutely thrilled to see Faro, the first of BA CityFlyer’s 12 destinations from Southampton, take to the skies today and we are sure the route will prove extremely popular this summer.

“BA’s commitment to deliver connectivity for Southampton and the wider region to some of the most popular destinations in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, France and Germany will be very much welcomed by our passengers now that the safe restart of international travel is underway.”