BMI have inaugurated its first long haul international route out of Heathrow to Mumbai, following on its successful flight programme from Manchester. The four times weekly service is the first new operation of its type by a UK airline since 1991 and introduces a third British carrier into the intercontinental air travel scene, a move that will certainly bring down seat prices and invigorate the market. Speaking in the former Bombay to a large assembly of British and Indian journalists Sir Michael Bishop, chairman bmi, said that that the airline hoped to up the operation to daily by the start of the winter season at the end of October. He pointed out that 53% of the traffic between London and Mumbai connects over an intermediate airport. This figure should now reduce dramatically with five airlines on the route. bmi notes that with a 0925 London departure the new service is a practical proposition from most of the points on the airline”s domestic schedules. Sir Michael pointed out that under the terms of the bi-lateral the airline does not code-share but the sector is highlighted by Star on the reservation systems. Held at Mumbai”s outstanding Taj Mahal Place, the press conference attracted two dozen photographers and even the usually imperturbable Sir Michael Bishop was taken aback by the sheer volume of flash bulbs and camera lenses, more often than not only a few feet from his face! He is not the pop-star type but he handled it magnificently and was in fine form that same evening when the airline entertained well over 300 people to a delightful, open-air London musical showcase and dinner.
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