Bmi to expand long haul services
Bmi is to start a Heathrow-Jeddah service and increase frequency of flights to India.
The carrier’s four-flights a week to Mumbai launched in May are to rise to a daily service while three flights a week are to be offered to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia next year.
This is in addition to a newly-launched three times a week service from London to Riyadh in Saudi.
The airline’s chief executive Nigel Turner said: “The long-haul arena is a key strategic imperative for bmi.
“We hope to expand our services to Saudi Arabia and to India in 2006. In addition, we continue to press for the introduction of open skies between the UK and the US, allowing us to fly from Heathrow to the States.”
He added: “We have been delighted with the welcome we have received in Saudi Arabia, not just from the authorities but from the market. It is clear there is a real appetite for service from a British carrier on this route.
“If booking patterns continue in line with our early experience, we will look to expand our services into the Kingdom in 2006, with a three-times-weekly service from Heathrow to Jeddah.
“At the same time, we expect to increase our Mumbai services to daily. Despite strong competition between the UK and India, as a result of deregulation, we have experienced positive results to date and expect to strengthen our relationship with India further in the future.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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