Member Article

Newcastle to Brussels route "just the beginning" of NE investment says bmi chief

bmi regional’s announcement of a new route from Newcastle could be just the beginning of further investment in the region, says it’s chief executive.

As reported by Bdaily yesterday, the European Union is set to be opened up to the North East after the carrier chose Brussels as it’s first destination from Newcastle International Airport.

The addition of the Belgian capital could be the prelude to more services from the airport, Cathal O’Connell told Bdaily.

He said bmi regional is already in discussions with Newcastle Airport management, calling the announcement of the Brussels route “only the beginning”.

O’Connell said: “We are liaising with Newcastle Airport regarding additional routes and, depending on the success of the Brussels service, we hope to see more growth”.

The Newcastle to Brussels service will commence in March 2014, initially twice daily, but with the potential to increase to a higher frequency.

O’Connell suggested the move is symptomatic of the strengthening of the North East economy and won’t be a gamble.

He said: “We identified the combination of the recovering North East economy and the burgeoning travel market there as key factors in developing the Brussels route.

“The two flights per day frequency and the small aircraft we operate suits the market.

“We want to attract business and leisure customers, and we are confident we can do so. Brussels is a major gateway to the EU, and direct access there is important.

“At the moment, getting to Brussels from Newcastle is difficult; it’s time consuming and expensive. Putting Brussels on the map is priceless.”

Newcastle, and the North East as a whole, will be marketed as a vibrant tourist destination, attracting Europeans to the region - thus boosting the economy - as well as taking Brits abroad.

“This is a huge opportunity for both cities” said O’Connell, who has over 30 years experience in the airline industry.

“Everybody knows the wonderful attractions Brussels - and, indeed, the rest of Belgium - has to offer, but do Belgians know likewise of Newcastle?”

bmi regional operate two types of Embraer jet aircraft - the 50 passenger ERJ 145 and the ERJ 135, capable of carrying 37 passengers; ideal for their niche, small jet operations.

It has been a tumultuous, and “interesting”, year for the company after a substantial transitional process into an independent airline.

O’Connell explained that they were given 14-15 weeks to create a new company after International Airline Group sold bmi regional in June last year (it had been sold by British Midland International to IAG in April).

He said: “It has been an interesting year, creating the independent airline almost from scratch. But it was a proud moment.”

The East Midlands headquartered airline was endowed the Silver Airline of the Year Award earlier this month and, in January, was named the most punctual scheduled airline at UK airports for the seventh consecutive year.

Newcastle Airport was found to be the best performing large airport in the country by an August survey carried out by Which?

Fares for the Brussels flight will start at £69.99, with bmi regional recognising the distaste for hidden charges inherent with budget airlines by not charging for baggage and offering a complimentary on-board food and drinks package.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graham Vincent .