SAN JOSE — San Jose International Airport has crafted ways for an overseas airline company to resume South Bay flights that were suspended last October.
British Airways suspended service between San Jose and London several weeks ago, on Oct. 31, fresh evidence that the South Bay aviation hub still faces turbulence as it seeks to recuperate from coronavirus-spawned economic afflictions.
Now, San Jose officials have fashioned economic incentives that might at some point help entice British Airways to zoom back to the South Bay airport.
British Airways and the city signed a termination agreement whereby the airline would pay about $607,500 to ditch the lease early.
But San Jose also dangled an incentive in front of the airline in the form of a $303,700 credit against the termination fee if British Airways resumes flights between San Jose and London Heathrow within two years.
To qualify for the credit British Airways would be obliged to undertake two actions:
— notify airport staff by October 2025 of the airline’s intention to resume flights linking San Jose Airport and London Heathrow Airport.
— begin operating San Jose-London Heathrow flights by October 2026.
If both of these requirements are met, British Airways would be able to use the credit as an offset for future rental payments at the airport or for marketing the possible future San Jose-London flights, were the carrier to resume service within the opportunity window.
“We’re just letting British Airways know that they are always welcome,” said Scott Winter, a spokesperson for San Jose International Airport. “We would love to have them back.”