BMI Delays Launch of U.S. Flights

BMI British Midland is citing operational problems at Heathrow for the delayed launch of its first transatlantic flights between London and the United States. Causing the delay is BMI's belief that Heathrow will still be congested even after the opening of the airport's new Terminal 5 in March 2008, the UK's Financial Times reports. Instead, BMI will enter a code share agreement with United Airlines and US Airways and sell seats under its own code on the U.S. carriers' flights between London and the States, as well as any connecting flights inside the U.S., the paper reports, adding that the deal is currently waiting approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation.