Low-cost carriers bmi and bmi regional were the most punctual airlines in the UK, new figures reveal.
Data released by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show that the 92 per cent of the bmi Regional's flights left within ten minutes of their stated departure time in the first quarter of 2007.
Equally, 80 per cent of bmi's flights were deemed to have departed on time.
Two major airlines - British Airways and Virgin Atlantic - performed poorly in the survey. Out of a list of 30 carriers operating from Heathrow, they came 21st and 26th respectively.
"We know from extensive research that punctuality is of paramount importance to our passengers, particularly those travelling for business purposes," explained Nigel Turner, chief executive officer of the bmi group.
"We have responded by making it a mainstay of our customer proposition through the current 'bmitime' promotion as well as it being one of the foundations of our standard operating procedures."
bmi flies to destinations around the world from its hubs in London and Manchester. Some of its destinations include Egypt, France, Barbados and the US.
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