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View Full Version : BMI to keep the curtain on LHR-DUB


jamesbrownontheroad
2nd Jul 2005, 11:10
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*

keepitlit
2nd Jul 2005, 21:43
Dicision was made but shortly after lingus cut its business and the curtain went further down the cabin and as stated they are now listening to the passengers.

I think its a good result hope it keeps up so the 321's stay

Rgds

K.I.L.

Red 69
3rd Jul 2005, 10:54
Don't hold your breath! The company is in a mess with no real idea of where it's going. Which 10000 people did they survey? If you ask 10000 business travellers they'll all say keep the curtain. If you ask economy they'll all say get rid of it because then they aren't seen as lesser mortals! How long before it's back on all routes and NT realises you can't run a low cost model (bmibaby in all but name) out of Heathrow? He may be a good accountant but doesn't seem to know much about business and what the passengers actually want. 757 MAN - IAD, need I say more? BA will be laughing all the way to the bank! Can't wait to see minimun crew on a LHR - MAN when pax have to pay for their food and drink. We'll have to hold for 20 minutes to get the service finished! Also 8 crew on a 330? It's happening now. How do you give a proper 3 class service when you have a charter config crew on board. Answer is, you don't and the passengers suffer again. The long haul model was all about the excellent service and product bmi offered. This appears to have gone out of the window and is now well behind the competitors. (Flat beds, on demand IFE, on board bar, crew bunks etc etc) I fear if the company doesn't keep pace then it'll fall too far behind to ever catch, up or is that the plan, to become the bmi baby long haul division?

Quite sad what's happened to this company over the years...:{

lexxity
3rd Jul 2005, 17:14
Hear Hear Jetset, I would also like to meet the 10,000 people surveyed, allegedly this included staff too! I don't know one staff member they asked and I suspect the passengers were all "bucket and spaders" who want air travel for £2 quid a sector at the loss of everything onboard and who fly once/twice a year at tops.


We live in interesting times.