bmi regional announces new Birmingham hub
16-Jan-2017 Graz, Gothenburg and Nuremberg routes to launch this spring
bmi regional is creating a new hub at Birmingham airport, launching three new European routes. The new routes to Graz, Austria, Nuremburg, Germany and Gothenburg, Sweden will start in early 2017.
The Graz flight will commence on 27 February 2017, initially with a twice weekly service on Mondays and Fridays, ideal for those travelling for business. Fares will start from just £99 one way. The Nuremberg and Gothenburg routes will launch on 8 May 2017, with six return flights per week. Fares start from £79 one way and £89 one way respectively.
Commenting on the new launches, Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer from bmi regional, said: "We are delighted to be introducing flights from Birmingham as part of our ongoing growth strategy to connect key business regions. The Midlands is a powerhouse for business and industry in the UK and arguably the real home of the "Made in Britain" label. Having frequent connections to other European business centres is therefore critical for the region. Given this strong business affinity, we believe our new Graz, Nuremberg and Gothenburg routes will prove very popular with business customers. bmi regional is uniquely positioned to offer bespoke solutions to businesses and we are happy to once again be bringing the bmi regional level of quality, convenience, service and professionalism to travellers from the Midlands."
William Pearson, Aviation Director of Birmingham Airport said: "It is great news that bmi regional will be offering flights to Nuremberg, Gothenburg and Graz this year. All three routes are currently un-serviced from Birmingham, so we thank bmi regional for filling these important network gaps and adding even more European cities from the region to help businesses connect and fuel the Midlands Engine.
"bmi regional tailors operations for the needs of the businesses and offers excellent service, efficiency and value so we're therefore sure that the region will welcome this news."
Twinned with the Midlands city of Coventry, Graz is Austria's second largest city and one of the fastest growing regions of Austria. With a high standard of living and unique academic facilities, it is the main economic driving force in the region, home to a significant cluster for the automotive, rail and aerospace industries, and is equally strong in the areas of human and bio-technology, energy and environmental technology. Graz will also be bmi regional's first destination in Austria.
Bavaria's second city of Nuremberg is one of the largest business centres in Germany, with 25,000 companies in the area and a thriving economy. It is known as a dynamic, high tech city and maintains a lively start-up sector as well as global players and industrial giants. It is also keen to become a hub for innovation in future-proof technologies. Nuremberg will be bmi regional's 7th destination in Germany.
Just two hours' flying time from Birmingham, Gothenburg is enjoying unprecedented economic growth and remains a hub for global trade thanks to being the location of Scandinavia's largest port. It is home to businesses ranging from multi-national companies through to small entrepreneurs, in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals to manufacturing and automotive. Sweden's second city, Gothenburg is one of Europe's richest regions for research and is a test bed for innovative and sustainable solutions. Europe's largest, fully integrated hotel, exhibition and congress facility, and one of Europe's five biggest hotels, Gothia Towers, is situated in Gothenburg. Gothenburg will be bmi regional's 4th destination in Sweden.
"The link between Austria's second-largest city and the second-largest city in the United Kingdom offers many opportunities for tourism and business in both cities," explains Gerhard Widmann, Managing Director of Graz Airport. "The scheduled flights to Birmingham are a good example of what can happen when all parties - airline, economy, tourism and airport - cooperate well and openly to achieve a shared goal!"
Dr Michael Hupe, Managing Director of Nuremberg Airport, is equally enthusiastic about the new route: "The Nuremberg region is home to many international businesses, with the global network of automotive industry suppliers being of particular importance. The new connection to Birmingham, the centre of British automotive engineering, therefore enriches our economy. We are looking forward to working with bmi regional in the future"
Charlotte Ljunggren, Airport Director at Swedavia, added: "With a new passenger record set for 2016, we are happy to start the new year by adding an additional destination from Gothenburg Landvetter Airport. As Birmingham and Gothenburg share similar industrial scenes, this new direct route has been in high demand from businesses in West Sweden. The number of leisure travellers between the UK and Sweden is also increasing, so we're happy that bmi regional is adding new capacity."
All fares include complimentary in flight drinks and snacks, 23kg of hold luggage, allocated seating and speedy 30 minute check-ins.
Flights on all-routes go on sale from Tuesday 17 January 2017.