bmi, London Heathrow’s second largest airline, has launched a reciprocal codeshare agreement with Egypt Air on flights between London and Cairo, increasing choice for travellers.

The codeshare agreement effectively doubles the number of non-stop services available to 14 each week with schedules designed to offer customers optimum flight times. The tie-up will also see later this month the airlines’ frequent flyer programs offering members reciprocal benefits, including the ability to earn miles on all flights.

bmi’s diamond club is the UK’s most generous frequent flyer programme, while EgyptAir Plus is experiencing the biggest growth of any loyalty program in the region Nigel Turner, bmi chief executive, said: “We are delighted to partner with our colleagues at EgyptAir and offer the traveler a greater choice of flights.

The Middle East is a key region for bmi and the ability to strengthen our network through initiatives such as this is key to our ongoing success. We also look forward to welcoming EgyptAir to the Star Alliance family.” Eng. Atef Abdel Hamid, Chairman/CEO of EgyptAir, said: “Through this agreement, customers of both airlines will have double daily flights between the two capital cities with mutually-coordinated timetables, thus continuing the strategy of providing the widest choice, most convenient services and added benefits to our customers.

With the strategic location of Cairo, this cooperation will be positioned to create a new hubfor our partner’s customers with a strong gateway for Middle East and Africa.”

It was recently confirmed that EgyptAir is to become a member of Star Alliance, allowing many more passengers to experience the alliance’s customer benefits especially in markets in which Star Alliance was up until now under represented.