Flight International online news 10:00GMT: Star Alliance carrier BMI is axing its transatlantic service between Manchester and Washington, blaming the failure of ‘open skies’ talks and poor connections from the US airport for its decision.

BMI launched the six-times weekly Washington service in 2001 but will cease operations on the route from 30 October.

Chief executive Nigel Turner said: “The suspension of the Manchester service was in large part caused by the failure of UK, and latterly European Union, officials to agree an ‘open skies’ deal with the USA.”

The company added that Washington does not boast “the same wide range of onward connections” as its Manchester-Chicago service.

BMI will therefore shift its focus to Chicago from where its customers will instead be able to take connecting flights to Washington.

The airline had formerly used Airbus A330 widebodies on the Manchester-Washington route but moved to a lower-capacity aircraft earlier this year by introducing a wet-leased Icelandair Boeing 757 to operate the service.

 

Source: Flight International

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