| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 29/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 26 |
| Copyright: Other |
Schedule update
British Mediterranean boosts services in expansion project
Report by PAUL NORRIS
BRITISHMediterranean Airways, the British Airways franchise carrier, has increased schedules as it looks to expand its network.More Heathrow services to the Jordanian capital Amman are becoming non-stop flights. The airline is also increasing its operation to Damascus, the capital of Syria.
The BA airline is also preparing to launch flights to Egyptian city Luxor.
From next month, Amman flights will have six weekly non-stop services, with a seventh flying through Damascus on Saturdays.
Services to the Syrian city improve from four a week to five. The new Saturday flight operates via Beirut.
Two of the Damascus flights are non-stop, with the other two serving second Syrian city Aleppo from June 6 before arriving in Damascus.
The inclusion of Aleppo flights gives British Mediterranean a new service from Heathrow.
Chief executive Des Hetherington said there has been increased demand across the airline’s network, especially to Jordan and Syria.
“Amman and Damascus have shown particular strength in recent months.
“While we anticipated additional traffic during the summer, we are pleased there has been such strength on these routes that we are able to confidently increase the frequency to Damascus and significantly enhance our service to Amman.”
The airline is aiming to start up to two-weekly flights from Heathrow to Luxor in October. Flights are expected to operate via Alexandria in Egypt.
British Mediterranean is also believed to be talking to BA about taking over some of the major carrier’s routes in other Middle East countries and adding to its portfolio of destinations in former Russian states.
The airline already serves cities in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Hetherington: has noticed increased demand across all of the airline’s routes especially in Amman and Damascus