bmi’s new offspring spawns inflight retail offer

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Exclusive to TRW
By Isabelle Caprano

bmi british midland?s new low-cost airline bmibaby has told TRW it will be including inflight retail among its services. The airline, whose plans were revealed in the January 15 issue of Duty-Free News International, aims to begin operations on March 23.

The carrier is hoping the retail offer will be operational as soon as bmibaby's services commence. The range will include a small gift selection of mainly UK-branded goods and some fragrances and skincare products. As all of bmibaby?s destinations are within the EU, duty-paid liquor and tobacco will not be available.

bmi british midland?s inflight partner Alpha Inflight Retail will operate the concession onboard the new carrier, although no contract has yet been signed.

"The brochure for bmibaby will have a very different look and feel to the one available on bmi british midland", explained bmi british midland inflight services support manager Rachel O?Sullivan. "And although the retail programme is an integral part of the customer offer, the selection will be very space sensitive as we will also be offering a full-sale food and beverage service."

The airline has appointed Tony Davis as managing director of its new venture. Davis spent nine years at British Airways where he was responsible for alliance activities, and was previously a senior manager at Gulf Air.

bmibaby is aiming to introduce its service from the UK?s East Midlands airport on March 23 to pre-empt the launch of rival Go at the end of May. bmibaby will offer a high frequency service to Barcelona, Nice, Palma, Malaga, Faro and Alicante, hoping to attract a high number of families and leisure tour groups.

Since September 11, low cost carriers have been the fastest growing sector of the aviation industry. They already account for 14% of international passengers to and from the UK.