TEHRAN – Britain’s bmi chief executive here Tuesday expressed the group’s willingness to cooperate with Iranian airlines.

Leasing airplane to Iran comes among the topics on the agenda to start bilateral cooperation, Nigel Turner told MNA.
He pointed to launch of direct round flights between Tehran and London on October 8, dismissing probable sanctions on Iran.
“Iran has a potentially lucrative market,” Turner said, concluding bmi seeks its long-term interests, closing the eyes to troubles caused by sanctions in the short run.
He also announced the cancellation of British Airways flights to Iran, adding, “Having acquired British Mediterranean Airways (BMED), an affiliate of British Airways, bmi organizes Tehran-London-Tehran flights.”
“The flights are launched from Mehrabad International Airport up to November 3 and from Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) afterward.”
Bmi is the second largest airline at London Heathrow, one of the world's busiest and best-connected international airports.
From the Heathrow hub, bmi operates services in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa and from the Manchester hub transatlantic to the U.S. and Caribbean.
Bmi's global reach is further extended by being a member of Star Alliance, a grouping of 17 international airlines offering customers a worldwide network and a smooth integrated travel experience.
Overall, Star Alliance offers more than 16,000 daily flights to 855 destinations in 155 countries