UK's bmi says plans to start flights to Israel
British airline intends to launch daily nonstop flights from London's Heathrow and Ben-Gurion International Airport starting next spring
British carrier bmi said on Tuesday it intends to launch a daily nonstop flight from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv next spring.
The announcement comes three months after Thomsonfly, a low-cost British airline, said it would start three flights a week to Israel in November from Luton airport starting at 80 pounds ($163) one-way and 140 pounds round-trip including taxes and fees.
Bmi said in a statement that its intention to start flights to Tel Aviv stems from a successful outcome of talks between the Israeli and British governments on allowing a second UK and Israeli carrier to fly between Heathrow and Ben-Gurion International Airport.
Bmi, Heathrow's second-largest airline behind British Airways , said it would apply immediately to be designated as the second carrier.
A bmi spokeswoman said once that occurs, it will provide details on an exact start date, fares and the type of aircraft.
"The opportunity to be part of the growing business links and ties between the UK and Israel is extremely exciting and we shall look forward to playing our part in widening the competitive air links between the two countries, and the economic growth that this has historically achieved," Nigel Turner, bmi's chief executive officer, said in a statement.
Currently, BA and flag carrier El Al Israel Airlines both have numerous nonstop daily flights between London and Tel Aviv.
Tourism to Israel has rebounded after slumping in the wake of last summer's war between Israel and Lebanese Hizbullah. For the first seven months of 2007, tourism is up 1.7 percent a year earlier at 1.23 million visitors.
