bmi makes Moscow deal

The number of daily flights between Moscow Domodedovo Airoport and London Heathrow is set to double.

British airline bmi has signed a commercial agreement with Russian Federation carrier Transaero, instigating a reciprocal code-sharing deal between London and Moscow, which will substantially increase the number of routes offered to passengers at both ends of the routes.

The daily return flight service which will be introduced from October 29th will give both airlines the opportunity to expand, offering bmi access to flights within the Russian Federation and Transaero routes out of London to the United States, Europe and the Caribbean.

Chief executive officer of bmi, Nigel Turner, said: "We have concluded a very constructive and mutually beneficial agreement with Transaero. This will allow us to enter an entirely new market and develop further our growing route network from Heathrow."

While Alexander Krinichansky, executive director of Transaero, commented: "With the launch of new competitive services from Heathrow by Transaero and Star Alliance member bmi, we see great potential for both point to point and connecting services."

The Heathrow- Moscow flights will be bmi's first medium haul route and will see it enter into competition with BA, the only other British airline currently operating on this route.

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