Star Alliance carrier BMI is likely to use its Airbus A330 fleet expansion to support the growth of its Cairo, Moscow and forthcoming Tel Aviv routes.
BMI now serves Moscow and Cairo using A320s and it is planning to launch a Tel Aviv link next summer using A320s or A321s.
Speaking on 6 November at an event to mark the launch of the airline's new Cairo service, BMI chief executive Nigel Turner said these routes could grow to demand the greater passenger capacity of the larger Airbus. BMI launched the new Cairo service on 4 November.
Iran's capital Tehran, which joined BMI's network on 28 October following its acquisition of former British Airways franchise carrier BMed, is another A330 candidate. "One flight a day should be three," says Turner.
BMI has three A330s, in use on its long-haul routes between Manchester and Las Vegas and Chicago. But the airline is aiming to take delivery of another five of the type from early 2009.
Source: Flight International
