British Midland (BM) has filed applications for an additional six transatlantic routes from Manchester, in the north of England. BM's move comes as it is increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress in UK-US talks on a new air services agreement, which has prevented it from launching services from London Heathrow.
BM has requested to serve Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, Miami and Seattle from Manchester, which is neither slot-restricted, nor limited by the current Bermuda II bilateral. In January, it asked for services from Manchester to Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC.
The airline also applied in February last year for licences for 10 transatlantic routes from Heathrow, and was granted approval for New York, Washington DC, Boston and Miami services. It has been unable to launch, however, because of the current impasse. US approval on the routes may take a long time, with no date set for resumption of negotiations.
BM chairman Sir Michael Bishop suggests operating from Manchester and London is possible. "We have in mind a dual approach."
BM's initial transatlantic ambitions will be met with either two Boeing 767-300s or two Airbus A330-200s. The carrier is increasing the pressure on the UK and USA to liberalise their bilateral by flagging the high cost of transatlantic business travel.
Source: Flight International
