Financial Times: British Midland set to resume U.S. flights in 2001

LONDON (Reuters) -- British Midland Airways is this week set to announce a return to transatlantic flights after 18 years, with the start of scheduled flights from Manchester to Washington D.C. next year, Monday's Financial Times reported.

The paper said the direct service would be a key link between northern England and the U.S. capital, as well boosting Midland's drive to start transatlantic flights from London's Heathrow airport.

Since 1998 Midland has been trying to break the stranglehold of four airlines -- British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and United Airlines -- on flights to the United States from Heathrow.

The UK and U.S. governments have failed to liberalize a treaty limiting the route to four carriers however, keeping British Midland and fellow aspirants Delta and Continental locked out, the FT said.

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British Midland

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