bmi regional has been named the UK’s most punctual scheduled airline for the ninth consecutive year, placing it ahead of several carriers including British Airways, Ryanair and Flybe.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) used UK flight punctuality data by independent website flightontime.info to assess airlines’ punctuality. According to the 2013 data, bmi regional achieved an On-Time Performance of over 92 per cent in the twelve month period. The figure also places bmi regional above BA CityFlyer, KLM, CityJet, SAS, Aer Lingus, Flybe and EasyJet.
A flight is considered ‘on time’ if it departs or arrives within 15 minutes of its published schedule.
Cathal O’Connell, CEO of bmi regional, said: ‘As we continue to develop and expand our network, punctuality is an enduring priority for us. Being named for the ninth consecutive year as the most punctual scheduled airline in the UK is testament to the commitment and hard work of our teams on the ground and in the air who never lose sight of our customers’ needs.’
bmi regional – which became fully independent in June 2012 – owns and operates an all-jet fleet of 18 Embraer aircraft that serve routes between nine European countries. In 2013, the carrier won the prestigious ‘Silver Airline of the Year’ award at the European Regions Airline (ERA) Association in Salzburg, Austria.
In 2013, the airline expanded its profitable routes, doubled its charter business and launched domestic routes in Scandinavia to serve the oil and gas industry. Earlier in March, bmi regional launched the only direct service to link Newcastle and Brussels including a codeshare agreement with Brussels Airlines on the new route, it said.
All bmi regional flights offer 20kg checked baggage, a full at-seat bar and snack service, and 30-minute check-in.