bmi To Launch India Services From May 14

Initially Plans Four Flights From Mumbai

bmi, UK's full service airline will commence its India services on May 14, 2005 with four flights a week to Mumbai. This move was subsequent to the fact that the airline is determined to develop its long haul network from Heathrow following an agreement reached between the UK and Indian governments that was concluded in Delhi recently. An agreement was reached to open up more routes to competition and provide opportunity for greater frequencies on existing routes. bmi's introductory India fares start from Rs 26,500.

Nigel Turner, bmi chief executive said, "We are delighted to be confirming the launch date for the first ever bmi long haul services from London Heathrow. Talks between the two governments have created tremendous opportunity for bmi to deliver the much-needed competition into this market. India is a vibrant country with a rapidly developing economy that will benefit greatly from the injection of new genuine competition. We will now evaluate how bmi can take advantage of these new opportunities and announce shortly what our commitment and plans will be. An increase of our four-times weekly service to Mumbai to a daily service will certainly be a priority. We should congratulate both governments in making evolutionary rather than revolutionary steps towards full and free open access to the UK- India market."