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bmi is to commence a three times weekly service to Jeddah from Heathrow commencing 23 April
2006 and also increase to daily its service from Heathrow to Mumbai on 22
April 2006.
The introduction of a direct link from Heathrow to Jeddah follows the successful launch in September of a three times weekly service to the Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh.
The new destination will offer customers bmi's full in-flight service including an onboard chef for business class passengers.
Mumbai services from Heathrow will increase to a daily service after a positive start to the route since its introduction in May of this year. The opportunity to increase
services to India has been possible following further deregulation in the UK to India aviation market.
Nigel Turner, chief executive of bmi,
said, "We have been extremely encouraged by the start that we have had on the Heathrow to Riyadh route. The opportunity exists
for us to again re-establish direct air links with one of the Middle East's key destinations. Jeddah is a major centre of trade and industry and has a vibrant market for both
business and cultural passengers. I am confident that, as with Riyadh, we will again benefit from the support and encouragement of both the UK and Saudi governments
in making our new service to Jeddah another success story.
"The positive start that we have experienced on Mumbai and the opportunity for further access into India from the UK means we can now increase our operation to a
daily service. This will further establish our presence in the Indian market. As deregulation continues to deliver much needed competition, our strategy remains to
initially focus on the development of Mumbai ahead of any additional destinations we may consider launching in the future."
bmi will also commence a daily service to Doha from Heathrow in the
summer of 2006. The service will commence on 26 March and, subject to government approval, will
be operated under a wet lease agreement with Qatar Airways. At the same time bmi's existing codeshare agrement with Qatar Airways will be expanded to allow bmi to
sell Qatar Airways flights from Heathrow to Doha under bmi's flight code.
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