A NEW direct link between Manchester and Warsaw represents a major new phase in British Airways' development plans.

Their first Eastern European service from Manchester operates every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday to the Polish capital.

The regional VIP party on the inaugural flight was led by Mr Rob Hearn, BA's General Manager for the North of England.

Mr Hearn took time in Poland to tell me about a regional company strategy of "consolidate, focus and grow" which was launched in 1994.

The introduction of the Warsaw route, which had been carefully researched over the last two years, represented the start of the growth stage.

"It is very important for us and the business folk of the North-west," he said.

Early figures were low, but they were expecting business and leisure interest to increase as the word gets round about the direct link.

Plans for the future in Manchester include:

Working with Manchester Airport on a new terminal due to be open in late Spring, 1998.

Possible application to the main BA board in June or July for a £1/4 billion replacement programme for the existing BA North fleet of 24 aeroplanes based in Manchester and Birmingham.

A review of costs which involves new staff terms and conditions to bring them in line with other operators.

"The main focus is on giving people options," Mr Hearn said.

Re-scheduling certain routes such as increasing the Frankfurt frequency from two to three and adding another flight to make it two a day to Madrid.

Mr Hearn said there were about six new routes under consideration.

"Central and Eastern Europe are very interesting," he said.

The Boeing 737 flights to Warsaw, which are operated by British Airways Regional, are timed to allow passenger connections from Scotland and Ireland.

On Tuesday and Friday the flight departs Manchester at 9.35am, arriving at 1.10pm local time.

The return service leaves Warsaw at 1.55pm, arriving in Manchester at 3.35pm local time.

On Sundays the flight departs Manchester at 2.30pm and the return leaves Warsaw at 7pm.

Fares start from £149 return for a World Offer EuroTraveller ticket.

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