bmi takes off for Tel Aviv

bmi, London Heathrow’s second largest airline, has launched daily non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv. The introduction of the service marks the latest phase in bmi’s successful mid haul route strategy and takes the total number of destinations served by the airline from Heathrow to 38 this summer.

Nigel Turner, bmi chief executive officer, said: “Tel Aviv is a key destination in the Middle East and I’m delighted that today we launch daily non-stop services. Its addition further enhances our ever-growing network of destinations in an area of economic growth and development.

“We identified Tel Aviv as having potential for greater competition and one that has an ideal fit with our mid haul expansion strategy from Heathrow. This has been borne out by levels of bookings exceeding our expectations and competitor airlines reducing their fares in anticipation of our entry into the market.

“The opportunity to be part of the growing business links and ties between the UK and Israel is extremely exciting and we look forward to playing our part in widening competitive air links between the two countries, and the economic growth this has historically achieved.

“We have every confidence that our presence on this route will continue to stimulate its competitiveness. bmi will be bringing to the market its reputation of delivering a superior product, both on the ground and in the air, for the business and leisure traveller alike, as well as a range of highly competitive fares.

“Travellers choosing to fly with us will also benefit from flying with Heathrow’s most punctual airline, as well as being able to become a member of diamond club, the UK’s most generous frequent flyer programme.”

The flight schedule has been specifically designed to offer passengers well-timed connections to bmi services to and from regional airports, including those in Scotland, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Durham Tees Valley, Belfast as well as Dublin in the Republic of Ireland, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

The route will initially be served by an Airbus A320 in a two class configuration with 20 seats in business and 108 in economy.