Fly bmi

[lbaspotter]

Re: bmi

Hi

A new rumour is doing the rounds that a deal is not far from been complete for British Airways to purchase bmi british midland from Lufthansa and that as part of the deal bmi regional will be handed over to flybe.com while BA keep hold of bmi mainline's Heathrow operations and slots.

Dont know where it would leave bmi baby yet. Unless they go it alone or join up with German wings.

So watch this space, As flybe may be running the Edinburgh, Glasgow and Brussels routes from LBA soon. Hopefully we might see some based Dash 8's at LBA when they replace bmi regionals Embraer 135 & 145 aircraft.

 

[tk343]

Re: bmi

In my eye that would be much better than Bmi Regional operating the routes and the fares would be much more affordable and would hopefully get people off the train going up to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Don’t rule out the sale of Bmi baby

 

[drpiruthivi]

Re: bmi

If flybe gets it, will it make LBA-LHR a possibility?

 

[WYIA]

Re: bmi

I very much doubt it. Its not a bmi regional route as a rule, they only operated on it when bmi mainline figures got so bad they could not fill an A319. You do see the bmi regional ERJ's in LHR more than in previous years but again its down to the demise of the loads. I think LHR would be on the bottom of the new routes list and i think flybe are more than happy with the LGW loads.

The purchase could mean several new routes but nothing too exciting, bmi regional is abit of a non event of a carrier these days.

 

[ex_crew]

Re: bmi

It must be more profitable than B.A shorthaul because it has run at a loss for years. Always been considered a " a thorn in my side" but needed to feed longhaul.

 

[White Heather]

Re: bmi

According the the airport MD, there is 'no chance' of flights from LBA to LHR until such time as another runway is built and the reality is that other domestic LHR routes are likely to cease rather than us get our route back, unless the Government take action to protect domestic slots - which so far they have refused to do.

 

[Bigman]

Re: bmi

An interesting observation for you. For those of you who look at the departure boards at LBA, you will no doubt know that for some time now the BMI Brussels service flicks round between BD, SK, SN and OS flight codes. I noticed on Sunday for the first time that there are now LH flight codes on the board for these flights as well. As I said, just an interesting observation.

 

[Aviador]

Re: bmi

LH have now officially taken over BMI as of the 1st of October which probably explains that one. It was still nice to see it on the departure boards.

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: bmi

Hi

looks like bmi regional are offering some cheap shopping deals from LBA on there services to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Brussels in the lead up to the festive period.

http://www.flybmi.com/bmi/en-gb/about-us/information-centre/press-releases/20091028.aspx

celebrate the festive season with bmi Regional
28 October 2009

- Great deals for Christmas market hotspots across the UK and Europe

Get into the festive spirit and escape to the bustling cities of Copenhagen, Brussels, Zurich, Glasgow or Leeds for your Christmas shopping this year. Take advantage of great value offers from bmi Regional to experience the enchanting festivities of the UK and Europe’s Christmas market hotspots. Flights are available to book now from www.flybmi.com/christmasmarkets.

Experience the magic of Traditional European Christmas markets…

Copenhagen
Christmas in Tivoli has become a tradition in Copenhagen, with locals and visitors experiencing a magical mix of Christmas trees, presents, and traditional Danish stalls, as well as the captivating Christmas lights created by Tiffany's head designer, John Loring. An ideal Christmas shopping destination, Copenhagen is also home to Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street, Strøget, which features many of the city's most famous and historic stores, such as silversmiths Georg Jensen, and department stores Illums Bolighus and Magasin du Nord.

bmi flights to Copenhagen from Edinburgh and Glasgow start from £70 one way including tax.

Brussels
Brussels is renowned for its annual Winter Wonderland on the Place Sainte Catherin. With its cheerful lights, delicious aromas and a vast number of stalls, this market promises a true holiday atmosphere. The ice skating rink offers fun for the whole family whilst a visit to the Grand’Place, decorated in festive lights for the occasion, is not to be missed.

bmi flights to Brussels from Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands start from £60 one way including tax.

Zurich
Zurich is home to both the traditional Christmas market in its picturesque Old Town and Europe’s largest indoor Christmas market in the city station’s enormous main hall. With 160 decorated market stalls to satisfy the most ardent shoppers, this market also features a magnificent Christmas tree covered in 5,000 glittering Swarovski crystal ornaments.

bmi Regional flights to Zurich from Edinburgh start from £60 one way including tax.

Be surprised by hidden gems closer to home…

Scotland
Glasgow provides a beautiful and festive setting for Christmas activities and as one of the largest shopping centres in the UK, it is ideal for Christmas gift hunting. The 6th annual St Enoch Square Glasgow Christmas market takes place this year, attracting numerous traders from all over Europe along with talented Scottish craftspeople. Visitors can find unique Christmas gifts such as amber & silver jewellery, hand crafted toys and fragile glass ornaments for your Christmas tree. After a hard days’ shopping, visitors can relax and get into the festive spirit with a glass of “Glühwein” while listening to traditional Christmas music.
bmi Regional flights to Glasgow from Leeds Bradford start from £35 one way including tax.

Leeds
Home to one of the largest and most established German Christmas Markets in the UK, Leeds offers a European experience closer to home. With traditional wooden chalet stalls, festive greenery, Christmas carousel rides and twinkling colourful lights, Christkindelmarkt recreates a unique continental style festive atmosphere in the heart of Leeds city centre. Authentic German traders sell a wide range of seasonal gift ideas for everyone including handcrafted toys, jewellery, Christmas cards, festive decorations, speciality foods and traditional German delicacies such as gluhwein, bratwurst sausages, soups, stollen, gingerbread and candied fruits.
bmi Regional flights to Leeds Bradford from Edinburgh and Glasgow start from £35 one way including tax.

bmi Regional continues to be the UK’s most punctual airline offering flights from key UK airports including Aberdeen, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford Norwich and Manchester. bmi Regional operates an all jet fleet with business and economy fares and service, lounge facilities for business passengers and Diamond Club members and e-ticket and online check-in. bmi’s regional, short haul and European departures now do not include fuel surcharges as part of the airline’s commitment to offering the best value for money for travellers.

Bookings can be made at www.flybmi.com/christmasmarkets

ends

 

[eastcoaster]

Re: bmi

I wonder what effect the news that is being told to all BMI staff, at 1200 today, will hold for LBA.?
It looks pretty dire and most staff are expecting the worst as LH attempt to plug the loss of millions of pounds the company is losing.
My thoughts are that we will probably lose the BMIR base and the BRU. I don't think EDI/GLA will survive either, with their current loadings operated as they do in reverse on a morning.
If it's bad news for us lets hope the silver lining to this might see FlyBE /Loganair operate the Scottish routes at least.

 

[User0001]

Re: bmi

I agree, maybe FLYBE/LOGANAIR or even EASTERN with there SAABs from LEEDS/BRADFORD and Re open their base again

 

[eastcoaster]

Re: bmi

Well it looks like we have not been affected by the cuts. All reductions, aircraft losses (9 in total) and jobs go from Heathrow. In fact, 2 EMB 145s are to be returned from mainline at LHR to Regional. Could we expect more routes even, allowing for this?.....

 

[backtrack]

Re: bmi

I doubt it to be honest eastcoaster. You seem well aware of bmi's situation at LBA at the moment. They arnt performing well at all and struggle to fill their E135's.

I think BD should concentrate on their BRU, maybe look at re-instating CPH again and introducing places such as Zurich for example. And leave the EDI and GLA to flybe to operate, as i think flybe would increase pax numbers due to their lower fares. Flybe would have to introduce a well structured timetable however, to suit the business type of passenger most likely to use the service.

 

[eastcoaster]

Re: bmi

I wonder how long they will continue doing BRU from LBA. A one aircraft base is a very expensive option. No other airline does at LBA. (The flybe isn't a base as there are no crews, before anyone says it is).
BMI keep applying for slots at the route conventions for LBA to FRA, MUC, ZRH, and they keep getting them, but never use them. ZRH was applied for and got at the last one. I wonder if they are just dummy applications and then used from elsewhere.

 

[White Heather]

Re: bmi

It was certainly the intention (confirmed by the airport ops director) that BMi would operate the FRA from LBA and it was supposed to happen last year, but the takeover by Lufty seems to have put the brakes on that. Obviously if BMi are still applying for the slots, they are keeping their options open to operate those routes, and in all probability they would start off on E145 aircraft. So you never know, if Regional get more of the type they may start up something from LBA to FRA, MUC and ZRH and give up on the EDI and GLA. Both those route in my view require cheaper fares to compete with rail services - step forward Flybe!

However, the big question is will ANY airline bother to try to start new routes in the current economic climate? Obviously the LBA MD thinks so as he is forecasting another 41 routes in 2010!!

 

[rmac]

Re: bmi

I personally believe that Bmi Regional should either develop a viable route network out of LBA or give up all together. The suggestion to cease EDI and GLA is a good one and Flybe with their established routes and suitable aircraft would I think be a success at LBA, leaving Bmi Reg to develop services to FRA, MUC CPH, Berlin, Zurich, etc. Brussels too unless Brussels Airlines can do it better, but all under the umberella of LH. However given Bmi 's track record out of LBA in recent years, i.e. one of steady decline I cannot see it happening.

 

[lbia]

Re: bmi

bmi really do baffle me, but I do know from a colleage who used to work for bmi at LBA, that BRU will not be ceasing. It rakes in the money for bmi, the average fare is around £250 each way, and desipte this it generally attracts good loads. Average is around 25/30 passengers. That around £7500 revenue per sector, which I may add is twice the average recenue Jet2 take on their BFS and AMS services. Do the maths, fuel burnt on an E135 vs a 733 and landing charges on such a small aircraft. bmi have the business model to make money on EDI & GLA even with low-ish loads. Similarly they really are an ideal candidate for FRA, MUC, ZRH, CPH (again!!) and I still believe CDG. I say ideal candidate with regard to business model and aircraft. I just hate the company. bmi have all the tools in place i.e Star Alliance to get code shares with Lufthansa, Swiss and SAS. Its a shame that its such a backward company, it has bags of potential but I some how doubt the Germans will explore the gold mine that is LBA. I've said it before, but roll on FlyBe.

 

[backtrack]

Re: bmi

Excellent post lbia.

Those are the kind of destinations BMI need to be looking at (ZRH, CPH, MUC, FRA) etc. They are business routes and bmi regional like to think they offer a full business service. I am surprised that since joining Star Aliance, bmi have not increased base size at LBA or added new routes to the sort of destinations mentioned above. LH could help them out here and make it a success, but they would rather concentrate on their long haul model, but FRA im sure would be a fantastic sucess, even surprised Ryanair havent introduced HHN because we need a route there desperately.

Brussels airline has been an airline ive wanted to see at LBA for a long time now.

 

[rmac]

Re: bmi

Just checking EDI LBA for the summer and it looks is if the aircraft originates in Leeds, i.e 0700 dep, same also for GLA. Therefore 2 based ERJ, plus BRU ERJ. total 3

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: bmi

Just checking EDI LBA for the summer and it looks is if the aircraft originates in Leeds, i.e 0700 dep, same also for GLA. Therefore 2 based ERJ, plus BRU ERJ. total 3

You might wanna check at a later date closer to the start of the summer season. bmi regional are known to make changes to there schedules at the very last minute.

As far i understand the airport will remain a one aircarft based operation only operating the Brussels service. This is becasue lots of ex LBA based crews have now left to pastures new or moved onto other bmi regional bases.

Also the bmi flight umbers are changeing by the looks of things as well to a four digit number. A number1 will be put on font of all bmi regional flights. So where you have BD403 it will become BD1403. Where as BD616 will become BD1616.