The number of passengers flying with bmi and its low cost subsidiary bmibaby during February 2003 rose 21 per cent compared to February last year. The overall load factor remained constant.

Routes between Manchester and Scotland, operated by bmi regional using an all-jet fleet, showed significant gains in passenger volume, with Glasgow up 46 per cent and Edinburgh 39 per cent. Services out of London Heathrow to Manchester were up by 34 per cent, and to Brussels by 21 per cent. The number of passengers flying transatlantic with bmi between Manchester and Chicago also increased by 12 per cent.
Austin Reid, chief executive officer of bmi, said: “The increase in the number of passengers travelling during February compared to last year is encouraging, but there is undoubtedly an element of uncertainty amongst air travellers, particularly in light of current world events. Nonetheless, we continue to look to the future and remain confident that bmi can build on the gains made in recent months.”

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