Bmi begins new Heathrow-Riyadh service

Bmi, formerly British Midland Airways, will start flights between Heathrow and the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh this autumn, it was announced today.

The carrier will begin a three-times-a-week service using Airbus A330 aircraft from September 1.

Bmi chief executive Nigel Turner said today: “I am delighted to confirm the expansion of our long-haul network from Heathrow, following the successful launch of our Heathrow-Mumbai (Bombay) service last month.

Meanwhile, British Airways announced it is launching a new winter service from London to the French ski resort of Grenoble. BA will operate flights five times a week from Gatwick Airport starting on December 10.

Alan Burnett, BA’s head of UK and Ireland sales, said: “We believe that Grenoble will be very popular with the growing weekend skiing market as it offers a shorter transfer time to many resorts favoured by skiers, including Meribel, Courchevel and L’Alpe d’Huez.”