Midland plans daily flights to Heathrow from April 15 next

British Midland (BMI) is planning to introduce daily services from Mumbai to London's Heathrow airport from April 15, 2006, and consolidate its business in the country. The airline is currently operating four times a week to London from Mumbai.

"We are planning to make our current London service from Mumbai a daily service from the spring of 2006. We want to consolidate our business here as India is the most important destination for us," said Ravi Pikle, commercial development manager (India & Middle East),BMI.

Heathrow is the main operational base for BMI and it operates 1,090 flights per week to 22 destinations in the UK, Europe, India and Saudi Arabia.

"We are planning to position BMI as a friendly, full service British carrier in India with competitive airfares to the UK, Europe and North America," Pikle said.

The airline, which is a member of the airline platform Star Alliance, is now operating under a revised schedule from Mumbai to London from November 1 which would ensure better connectivity to other cities in the UK and Europe.

"As a Star Alliance member, we are now focussing on the corporate segment which travels frequently to the UK and European destinations. BMI schedule ensures no time is wasted as the airline is first to leave from India in the day," he said.

According to airline executives, the airline would extend seven per cent commission to travel agents on published airfares against the current practice of five per cent commission.

"BMI is flying Airbus A330 aircraft and there will be common fare to the UK and Europe on the airline's network. The cabin configuration is three class with business, premium economy and economy," Pikle said.