Just seen this statement on the Irish version of flybmi.com, confirming that contrary to recent statements that only GLA, EDI, BRU and BHD would have two classes on BMI short-haull, DUB will also retain a separate business class cabin.
bmi reaffirms commitment to full service business class offering on Dublin London Heathrow route
bmi named 'Best Airline - London Routes' at Irish aviation awards
Dublin 28th June 2005 - bmi has today confirmed that it is fully committed to continuing its full service business class offering on the Dublin - London Heathrow route. The announcement follows the creation by bmi of a new business model for the airline's Heathrow short haul operations. One of the features of the new offering will be the removal of a separate business class cabin on many routes in its UK and European network. The announcement was made at the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) Air Transport Users Council Airline of the Year Awards where bmi was named 'Best Airline - London Routes' for 2005.
According to Nigel Turner, Chief Executive Officer - bmi, following a six-month study surveying the views of 10,000 air travellers across its network of destinations, bmi is creating Europe's first modular airline which will see it operate a single class cabin, with paid-for catering on board and faster e-enabled services for customers on the ground. Most importantly, customers will be able to choose from three fare types, according to the level of service and flexibility they want with their ticket. However, the Dublin-London route will be one of five routes in the bmi network where a separate business class cabin product will remain, reflecting the level of support and demand for a dedicated in-flight business product on the route
Commenting on bmi's success at the Airline of the Year Awards 2005, Mr. Turner said, "We are delighted that bmi has been named as Best Airline - London Routes. It is a wonderful accolade for the company as a whole, and for the team in Ireland in particular. The Dublin-London Heathrow route is one of bmi's most vibrant routes in its network of 46 destinations (with over 70 destinations flown in conjunction with our codeshare partners) and is one we have continued to invest in, most recently reflected in our decision to maintain a full service business class offering on the route in response to customer demand. These awards reinforce our position as a competitive player in the Irish aviation industry".
The Air Transport Users Council, a policy council within CCI, commissioned research company MORI Ireland to conduct a survey among 400 companies in Ireland to ascertain their views on the best players in the aviation sector. The survey examined level of service by airlines on routes out of Ireland, value for money and airlines' on-line facilities. It also examined the level of service and facilities of airports key to Irish business travellers.
bmi, which operates up to seven return flights daily on the Dublin-London Heathrow route, first entered the Irish marketplace in 1989. Since then, bmi has experienced ongoing growth in passenger numbers on the route, reflecting the growing public demand for full service airlines in the face of stiff competition from low cost carriers.
bmi also operates a daily service between Cork and Leeds Bradford.
bmi recently launched a four times weekly long haul service from Dublin, via London Heathrow, to Mumbai in India, with services commencing on 14 May 2005. bmi also recently launched a range of new services for Irish passengers including self-service check-in at Dublin airport and a dedicated website for the Republic of Ireland.
Good ol' BD decisiveness
*j*