British bmibaby is low-fair favorite

The British airline bmibaby is the newest low-cost carrier in the skies over Krakow. At a press conference last Tuesday, the management board of Balice, the Krakow-area airport, introduced bmibaby, the biggest low-cost airline in middle Britain and Wales. Bmibaby is introducing a direct route from Krakow to Birmingham, as well as other connections: Warsaw-Birmingham, Warsaw-East Midlands, Warsaw-Cardiff, Gdansk-East Midlands and Gdansk-Cardiff.

Established in 2002, the bmi group is a significant player in aviation, having a 2-bln-dollar turnover and carrying about 10 mln passengers annually. Bmibaby offers more than 900 flights per week from Britain to 25 destinations throughout Europe.

“We’re a very customer-oriented business,” says Craword Rix, the managing director of bmibaby. “Our main selling point is low fares, but we also have a high value for the services we give. Our focus is safety; after that comes reliabilty and punctuality. Our brand is friendly and family-oriented.”

Rix has also recommended Birmingham and Britain not only as a work destination for Poles, but also as a tourist one, ensuring that Krakow and British cities can exchange a variety of cultural experiences. Bmibaby has employed Polish-speaking staff to work aboard planes flying between Poland and Britain. It offers low prices starting from 83 zlotys and no luggage limits, which is especially important for families. For the time being, all flights will be running about three times per week.

“Due to its strong position, bmibaby is the first-choice carrier for the British from mid-Britain, and we hope that we’ll be the same for Polish people, as we won’t drain their pockets,” said Andrzej Kobielski, the connection network director of bmibaby.

“I wouldn’t have opened this connection if I didn’t believe it would pay off,” he said, referring to a connection with Britain abandoned recently by SkyEurope as unprofitable.

“We’re glad that bmibaby has decided to open their connection from Krakow, appreciating the potential of the airport, city and the region,” said Kamil Kamidski, the director of Balice airport. “We hope this is a beginning of a whole network of bmibaby’s connections, as Poles like British destinations, especially when they come at a good price.”