BMI Poised to Launch Daily Flights to Libya from Heathrow

BMI will commence daily flights between Heathrow and Tripoli in December

On 1 December 2010, British-based BMI will begin offering daily flights between London's Heathrow and Tripoli. The purpose of the new service is partly to improve BMI's links for oil workers who are currently flying with the airline from Aberdeen to Heathrow, but then having to switch to other carriers to complete the journey.

BMI already flies to several destinations, including the Middle East's Riyadh, and  Egypt's Cairo.

The airline, which is now owned by Germany's Lufthansa Airlines, has made the decision to add the route at what is seen to be a politically sensitive time for Libya; i.e., shortly after the spat over BP's role in the release of the Lockerbie bomber. (The oil company was accused of lobbying for Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi's repatriation in order to aid their bid for $900 million in Libya exploration contracts. BP denies the allegations).

But BMI dismisses any concerns about entering the Libyan market at what is a politically sensitive time with a spokesman saying;

"BA flies to Libya daily and business relations with Libya are improving," he said. "This route expands our network for both business and leisure travellers. About 90 percent of Libya is covered by the Sahara desert which is becoming more attractive to UK tour operators."

Posted by Cathy, 24 September 2010 15:25

News tags

• Aberdeen
• BMI
• Cairo
• London
• Lufthansa
• Riyadh
• Tripoli