UK's second largest full service scheduled airline British Midland is set to start a Mumbai-London daily service from April 15, 2006. The airline is currently operating four times a week to London from Mumbai.
"We are planning to start a daily service from Mumbai to London from the spring of 2006. We are also evaluating the possibilities of starting services from other cities in India," Nigel Turner, CEO, bmi said.
London 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. Air India, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Jet Airways are other airlines operating in the India-UK route.
"India is a crucial market for the bmi and we want to fly maximum number of flights to this country. Currently, we have a modest market share in India-UK route and we will be actively considering starting services to more cities in India. However, Mumbai will be our focus," Turner said.
Turner said that bmi, which is a member of the airline platform Star Alliance, would operate under a revised schedule from Mumbai to London from November one which would ensure better connectivity to other cities of UK and Europe.
Ravi Pikle, commercial development manager (India & Middle East), bmi, said 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.
According to Turner, bmi is offering the best rates in Mumbai-London, which is starting from Rs 18,000 and the airline is offering dedicated in-flight chefs.
