bmi, the UK’s second largest full service scheduled airline, said
today it was delighted to have been granted the right to fly to India
by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).The announcement will mean that for the first time in recent history,
consumers will be able to sample all of the benefits of flying long
haul from London Heathrow with bmi.

In its ruling the CAA has decided to grant bmi four flights per week to
Mumbai.Ê bmi will begin operating from 27th March 2005 .Ê Fares and
schedules will be announced in due course.

The decision will be welcomed by air travellers in both India and the
UK, who have been denied choice, competitive air fares and network
competition when travelling to the sub-continent for many years. Until
now, British Airways and Air India have operated direct services,
meaning that travellers have not benefited from any genuine UK airline
competition.

Sir Michael Bishop, chairman, bmi said:

  “I am delighted that the CAA has awarded these rights to us. I am even
more delighted for the consumer who will now see genuine competition in
action.Ê Whilst we clearly would have preferred to offer a daily
service to Mumbai from the outset, we will aim to build on these
initial rights as additional capacity becomes available.

“The CAA has recognised the need for new competition on these routes
and today’s decision will mean that air passengers will now have
greater choice and value when flying to India and better connection
opportunities to other UK regional points.

” I look forward to serving the Indian market and growing our services
as soon as further capacity is available”.
——-