BMI adds Libyan capital

Star Alliance member BMI has revealed that it will add services to the Libyan capital of Tripoli, effective December 1st. The new route, originating from its London Heathrow hub, will be operated on a daily basis with A319 aircraft and will compete with an 7x weekly BA service and a twice weekly service operated by Libyan Arab Airlines. IATA BSP data shows that over 50,000 O+D pax flew the route between June 2009 and 2010 with BA having an 86% share.

BA has an increased focus on business markets in Africa, the CIS and Asia and withdrew its leisure services from Manchester to the US to concentrate on these markets from LHR.