Brussels, 18/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The British airline bmi (British Midland Airways Ltd) is expecting much of an aviation agreement opened between the EU and the United States, which will allow it to operate routes to the United States from Heathrow airport, whereas currently, in virtue of an agreement dating back to 1977, which is known as Bermuda II, only two British airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, and two American companies, American Airlines and United Airlines, are allowed to do so from this airport. This agreement was found to be illegal by the Court of Justice in November 2003, Tim Bye of bmi points out in a press release. The second largest airline in Heathrow airport is allowed to fly to the United States only from Manchester, but an agreement which included the recognition of the concept of Community airline would allow it to fly from Heathrow. bmi is therefore hopeful that both sides will take this "historic opportunity" to put an end to an agreement which is illegal.