bmi wants changes at Heathrow

Britain's second largest full-service scheduled airline, bmi, has called on British Airways and Iberia to give up slots at London Heathrow.

Bmi is concerned with proposed commercial co-operation arrangements between BA, Iberia and BA's franchise partner GB Airways.

Bmi said it believes the deal raises "serious competition concerns" around scheduled air services between the Britain and Spain.

It claims the tie-up will lessen competition between London Heathrow and Madrid, and remove competition altogether between London Heathrow and Barcelona.

BA and its One World alliance partner Iberia extended their code-sharing arrangements in February allowing the airlines to sell tickets on each other's flights under their own codes.

BA has a 10% stake in Iberia and stated that the Spanish flag carrier would be its merger partner of choice.