British Airways Adds Colombo, Melbourne and Rovaniemi in Expanded Winter Schedule

British Airways has launched its expanded winter schedule, and the headline is three named new routes: Colombo, Melbourne and Rovaniemi. The airline's release says the winter program adds four new routes in total, a first retrofitted A380, and more capacity to 11 long-haul destinations. Only three of the four new routes are named in the text we reviewed .

The three new routes

London Gatwick to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The inaugural flight left Gatwick on Oct 23 and landed the next day. It operates three times a week through winter with World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World cabins. Returns start at GBP 524 including taxes, fees and carrier charges. Club World carries a limited-edition menu created with Hoppers restaurants .

Melbourne, via Kuala Lumpur. Starts Jan 9 and is BA's second Australia route. Cabins are World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World and First. Returns start at GBP 1,110 including taxes, fees and carrier charges. BA ties the launch to the Australian Open and the Melbourne Grand Prix . The fares are as of Oct 27, 2026; confirm on ba.com or the BA media centre page above.

Gatwick to Rovaniemi, Finland. Twice weekly, operated by BA Euroflyer, from Dec 4 to Jan 4 . Dates are as of Oct 27, 2026; confirm on the BA media centre page.

Capacity and frequency changes

• Cairo gets seven extra flights a week, reaching three flights a day.
• Geneva peaks at up to 110 flights a week in ski season from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City.
• Tromso is now daily from Heathrow.
• Palermo becomes year-round; Thessaloniki's season extends into November and March.
• Fuerteventura moves from Gatwick to Heathrow, twice weekly, from mid-December to April.
• Long-haul capacity rises on Cape Town, Tokyo, Bridgetown, Kingston and San Jose (Costa Rica); the release gives no frequency numbers for these.

All from the same release .

What it means for points travelers

The release contains no Avios pricing or award availability details. If you collect Avios, check ba.com for award space on the new routes before assuming availability; new routes often release award seats gradually. The Melbourne routing through Kuala Lumpur is one to price in both cash and Avios, since the quoted GBP 1,110 return is a starting fare only. Schedules can change; as of Oct 27, 2026; confirm on ba.com.

Sources

• https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/news/26102026/from-colombo-to-christmas-markets-british-airways-launches-expanded-winter-schedule