14 January 2020

ParalympicsGB appoints British Airways as official airline partner for Tokyo 2020

ParalympicsGB has appointed British Airways as its official airline partner ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games this summer.

The airline will fly hundreds of athletes and support team, along with their equipment to and from the Games as part of the partnership, which also includes Team GB. British Airways has been supporting British Olympic and Paralympic athletes for over a decade, since the Beijing 2008 Games.

To mark the announcement, athletes from a range of sports officially launched the partnership at London Heathrow airport. Rio medallists Ali Jawad and Alfie Hewett, representing powerlifting and wheelchair tennis respectively, were in attendance alongside world Para swimming gold medallist Maisie Summers-Newton. All three hope to be on the plane to represent ParalympicsGB at Tokyo 2020 in August.

Left to right: Ali Jawad, Dina Asher-Smith, Sky Brown, Cheavon Clarke, Alfie Hewett, Maisie Summers-Newton

Also in attendance were 11-year-old skateboarder Sky Brown, athlete Dina Asher-Smith, and boxer Cheavon Clarke who all hope to represent Team GB.

Nick Webborn, Chair of the British Paralympic Association, said: “We are delighted to be flying to and from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with British Airways and believe that, once again, the ParalympicsGB team couldn’t be in better hands.

“Partnering with British Airways will undoubtedly mean that our Para athletes get the best possible start to their journey to Tokyo 2020, and a truly memorable celebratory return home.”

With a long-standing history in supporting national sporting events and teams, British Airways will ensure Great Britain’s medal hopefuls arrive in Japan refreshed and ready to perform at their best. The airline will fly hundreds of athletes back to the UK ready for a warm welcome at the end of the Games.

Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said: “We’re so proud to be the official airline of Team GB and ParalympicsGB for the fourth consecutive Games. The Olympic and Paralympics Games always instil a sense of national pride and it’s an honour to fly the best of British talent in sport and be part of their journey – from start to finish.”

The Paralympic Games will take place from 25 August - 6 September 2020, and for the first time will include Para badminton and Para taekwondo. The Olympic Games will take place between 24 July - 9 August 2020 and for the first time will include skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, karate and baseball/softball.

Share this page