User:Lidos/Airbus G-EUPC

Airbus G-EUPC is the registration of an Airbus A319-131 aircraft, originally purchased by British Airways in 1999.

BA2012 The Firefly has been unveiled in a special Olympics 2012 colour scheme, and will be used for several special flights during the Summer Olympics. It brought the Olympic Flame into the UK from Athens. The livery has a standard BA tail and rear section merging into a patchwork of three shades of yellow, orange and gold with "Our Moment to Shine" in gold behind the overwing exit. The aircraft carries small "The Firefly" titles under the cockpit windows.

It is one of nine celebratory ‘Dove’ aircraft designed by Pascal Anson with Tracey Emin as part of BA's Great Britons Programme, to showcase their talent and ‘Welcome the World’ to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Another Airbus, A319-131 G-EUOH 'The Dove' was unveiled at Heathrow Airport on 3 April 2011, and has been seen in many European airports since then.

Notable flights
On 16 May 2012 flight BAW2012 flew from Heathrow to Athens. Boris Johnson, Lord Coe, David Beckham were among 80 guests also including a group of teenagers representing Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Hackney (representing London).

On 18 May 2012 it flew with the same passengers, plus the Princess Royal, from Athens to RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall carrying the Olympic Flame. The flame was not extinguished during the flight. It has been classified as a 'ceremonial flame' by the Civil Aviation Authority who have given special permission to transport it whilst it is still alight. The torch was kept in a Davy lamp secured in a specially designed cradle which is firmly fixed to a seat. It had enough smoke-free fuel to last 30 hours. After an overnight stay at RNAS Culdrose, members of 771 Naval Air Squadron took the Olympic Flame to Land's End from RNAS Culdrose by Sea King helicopter where the Olympic Torch was lit. Airbus G-EUPC later returned to Heathrow, landing at 22.45.