Interview of the bmi Sales Manager in Armenia Simon Avagyan to Mediamax Agency and Banks.am portal

- How do you asses bmi’s activity in the Armenian market?

- bmi has been functioning in the Armenian market since 2007, operating regular flights between Yerevan and London. However, per se these flights have been in process since December, 1997, under British Airways brand.

bmi is considered the second largest airline in Great Britain after British Airways. We have a stable place in the Armenian market as it is only bmi that is operating direct Yerevan-London flights. I would like to remind that the entry of Western airlines to the Armenian market was given a start by this very flight. At the same time our passengers may continue their trip from London to any destination in the world, since there is practically almost no region, where we would be unable to take our clients in cooperation with our partners.

- Which are bmi’s main achievements this year, both worldwide and in Armenia?

- In 2009, our company modernized its brand and introduced a number of new services to improve passenger service.

In particular, Chauffeur Drive service is a novelty. By this service, business class passengers are provided with a high class car, which will take them from the airport to the hotel or any other place. This service provided by bmi is also true for Armenia.

The victory we gained this year and which is very important to us is the award of Best Short Haul Leisure Airline awarded to bmi by Conde Nast Traveler. The award ceremony took place in London Royal Institute recently. We received the award having won in tough competition with Swiss, British Airways and KLM.

Conde Nast Traveler award was established in 2001 and the readers of the famous magazine participated in voting. In the voting process this year, the readers highlighted the high level of bmi services for children and price-quality correlation.

Our company has also received the award in “Best Business Airline” nomination.

I also want to note that, by operating in the first terminal of London Heathrow Airport, bmi offers a wide range of services both in the plane and outside. The passengers, who fly from London Heathrow Airport by bmi business class, may now use our “bmi Number One Heathrow” conceptually new business lounge.

- Does the presence of a national air carrier in the Armenian market put pressure on other airlines?

- By no means. Each airline has its internal policy and standards, and the legal issues are regulated by interstate agreements on air transportation.

- How attractive is the Armenian market of air transportation for foreign companies?

- It may seem strange, but the Armenian market is quite attractive for foreign airlines. Being a small market with low solvency, it, nevertheless, attracts many companies. Many flights are operated from western countries to Armenia now. The number of foreign airlines in Armenia has increased, and this undoubtedly meets the country’s interests.

- Recently, bmi sponsored “Armenia Grateful 2 Rock” project, organized by Mediamax, making the visit of world rock legends Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi and others to Armenia possible. What was the importance of this project for bmi?

- bmi feels its social responsibility for the countries in which it carries out its activity. In Armenia, we carry out particular philanthropic activity, participate in some humanitarian initiatives. 

Mediamax’s initiative was attractive for us. 20 years ago British rock stars rendered Armenia significant assistance, and we found it expedient to sponsor the given project, providing 10 business class tickets for London-Yerevan-London flight.

The fact that state and private structures united around “Armenia Grateful 2 Rock” project was also important for bmi. Those structures included the Administration of the President of Armenia, the Armenian Government, the British Embassy in Armenia, “ArmRosGazprom”. This fact comes to prove the significant importance of the project for Armenia and we are proud that we have rendered assistance to implementing it.

- In Armenia, the rock stars stated their intention to raise funds for reconstructing the musical school N6 in Gyumri. In particular, Ian Gillan will give two charitable concerts in Yerevan in spring, 2010. Will bmi continue assistance to this initiative?

- According to already reached agreements, we will sponsor the entire process of the project within the scope of our capacities.

- What is the place of philanthropy in bmi’s activity?

- Philanthropy is important for us, since we feel responsible for the layers of society, which need our help.

The airline strives to support within its capacities the charitable actions, which aim at improving the well-being of the country and solving urgent problems.

- What novelties will bmi be able to offer its customers in Armenia in the nearest future?

- bmi realizes its new programs under “Better for Business” motto, which corresponds to our new image. The Airline tries to make its services more convenient for the business community.

“Better for Business” motto influences both Armenia and other markets, where bmi functions. The Airline adapts its services to passengers, starting from the schedule of flights (the flights are operated close to the afternoon), and up to providing conveniences in the airport and in the plane so that the passenger does not waste time. We talk about “Better for Business”, but we try to give the passenger, irrespective of the class and the purpose of the trip, the best service. By the way, bmi is considered the most punctual airline in Europe.

- The world economy is deeply affected by the crisis. How does it influence the activity of bmi?

- Today the entire world, and especially the aviation industry, experiences the influence of the crisis, and airlines take up numerous efforts to come out of that given situation. The fact that our company is able to stably operate 4 flights a week from London to Yerevan, irrespective of the season, can be considered an achievement in these conditions. However, we work to achieve more, and we will do everything possible for the passengers, flying by our planes, to be able to forget about the crisis for some time and enjoy their comfortable and pleasant flight. bmi strives for this.