British Midland introduce red eye flights Belfast to Heathrow

BMI British Midland have confirmed they intend to introduce early morning and late evening flights for commuters flying from Belfast International to London Heathrow.

A spokesperson for BMI said flights would commence from April 1 2002 and would be offering fliers an opportunity to leave from Belfast International Airport at 7am each morning and enable a 9.50pm return.

Business people in Northern Ireland were left in the lurch last year after British Airways withdrew their Belfast to London Heathrow service from Aldergrove. However it appears that BMI have stepped into the breach to cover the market demand from Northern Ireland customers.

UUP South Antrim MP David Burnside, who was speaking from London, said the news was "excellent". He said: "We have been pushing for this service for quite some time now. I am delighted BMI have decided to offer Belfast to Heathrow commuters these early morning services. I'm sure they will be prove quite popular for the company and Northern Ireland's businessmen and women who can now be in London to be at that early morning meeting, do a full day's work and then return home in the evening."

The Minister for Regional Development Peter Robinson has also welcomed the news. Mr Robinson said: "As Minister responsible for transport and air and seaports, I am delighted with this announcement. This 7.00 am flight and the 9.50 pm flight from Heathrow, which will operate until the end of October, will be a great boost to business people who need to travel to London and back on the same day.”

(AMcE)