Oft-canceled BA flight gets new number

British Airways 223, the London-to-Washington flight dogged by numerous cancellations and delays since Jan. 1, is to get a number change to soothe would-be customers’ frazzled nerves, an airline official said Friday.

“People associate the flight with delays and the potential for disruption even though it continues to run on schedule at the moment,” said Paul Parry, a BA spokesman.

“Customers told us this is the reason they are not booking the flight,” he said, adding seat bookings are down.

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As of March 28, it will be known as BA 293. The destination remains Dulles International Airport, but it leaves five minutes earlier from London’s Heathrow Airport, at 1500 GMT, the spokesman said.

Since New Year’s Day, BA 223 has been canceled five times and delayed for hours many other times, each time for “security concerns.” No other explanation has ever been provided.

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U.S.-bound Air France and Continental Airlines flights from Europe have also been canceled, as have BA flights to Saudi Arabia.

BA 223 has been hit with the most delays, though, mystifying security analysts and annoying the British Airline Pilots Association.