FLYING high! That's Bury-based luggage firm Antler whose growing European export business has been given a significant boost.

Antler, the leading UK luggage brand with its headquarters in Alfred Street, is having its existing contract with BA extended.

The existing contract is to replace and repair passengers' luggage damaged by the airline. Now, it's being rolled out to include all mainland Europe, involving a total of 36 on-line airports.

This follows a successful launch in the UK which, according to a BA spokesman, yielded annual cost savings of around £1 million and customer satisfaction up to 99 per cent.

This unique partnership between a leading airline and a luggage company is an industry "first" and has succeeded in the double aim of improving BA's level of service while reducing costs.

Patricia Bridge and Robert Woodcock, Antler's joint managing directors, commented: "Our partnership with BA will significantly increase the exposure and penetration of our brand throughout Europe. It fits perfectly with the export drive we already have in place, with distributorships now established in all major Eurozone countries.

"World-wide, the Antler brand is being marketed in more than 25 countries, which puts us in a good position to keep pace with the rapid expansion in overseas travel."

They added: "The Government predicts, for example, that the 180 million passengers flying into Britain's airports each year will rise to 400 million by 2020."

Other advantages of working closely with a major airline, they point out, include in-situ baggage handling testing for new products and liaison on luggage developments such as carry-on regulations.