It was another morning of celebration at Heathrow Terminal 5 today (September 20), as ParalympicsGB arrived home from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on British Airways flight ‘BA2016’.
Arriving home in style, the 300 athletes and support staff travelled on ‘victoRIOus’ – the same gold-nosed aircraft that brought Team GB home last month.
As the athletes disembarked flight ‘BA2016’ a number of medallists, including Sarah Storey, Will Bayley, Lee Pearson and Hannah Cockroft, proudly posed for a photo with their medals.
Upon entering arrivals, athletes were greeted to an emotional and rapturous reception with a VIP zone for ‘friends and family’ welcoming them home, including Paralympic superfan Stephen Mangan.
Alex Cruz, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, said: “We are honoured to be part of such a special moment of national pride and celebration. It has been a privilege to fly the athletes home from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
“I’d also like thank everyone across the airline who worked tirelessly for months to deliver a truly memorable homecoming that Team GB and ParalympicsGB so rightly deserve.”
Fans and athletes have been using #BAckSupercharged on social media to share their messages of celebration – the hashtag also features on the aircraft livery.
