bmi to increase flights to Mumbai and launch services to Jeddah and Doha

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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