Airline announces new low-cost scheme

BMI has announced that it is to scrap business class on most of its Heathrow services, in favour of a single-class service.

Only four core business routes – Heathrow to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast City and Brussels – will retain a separate business class cabin.

The single class service will feature paid-for catering on board, as well as faster e-enabled services for customers on the ground.

Customers will also be able to choose from three fare types, according to the level of service and flexibility they want with their ticket. Fares will start from £25 one-way.

The changes have been announced following a six-month survey, which surveyed the views of 10,000 air travellers.

BMI also announced plans to introduce “cutting-edge technology” in order to deliver better on-the-ground speed at Heathrow. These include the introduction of more self-check-in kiosks, along with new systems to allow check-in and the printing of boarding passes at home. BMI says that these new initiatives are expected to deliver savings of more than £30 million per year.

Nigel Turner, BMI’s chief executive, said: “For the last three years we have faced two fundamental issues. More than half of our passengers travel on business – but most of them do so in the rear of the aircraft. They or their companies choose to travel in economy. And our leisure travellers are getting lowest fares but at a full service offering. Now we’re getting back in sync with what our customers want. We’re giving them the choice. They can choose what they want – and what they want to pay for – when they travel.”

(KMcA/SP)