Fly bmi

[User0001]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

He was suggesting that current BMI slots will largely be used for long-haul growth

Exactly, I doubt BA have just brought a loss making airline purely to open Domestic routes. In terms of LBA, 3 simple questions need to be asked:

-Do we have a bmi mainline service? No
-Do we have a BA mainline service? No.

Therefore,

-will the sale affect us? Probably not.

If I were LBA, I wouldnt worry about the BA/bmi side, you need to look at what will happen going the other way. As seen as the buyers of bmi regional intend to create a 'Scottish' airline, where does LBA-BRU fit into that?
With NCL/BRS/LBA-BRU (and probably more) needing to be 'transferred' to SN, someone could loose out. SN already use Austrian Dash 8's at BHX due to lack of aircraft, having to fill 3 units worth of work for the UK isn't going to help matters!
I am not intending a MAN vs LBA debate, but, given the way Lufthansa thinks, I think LBA could be the ones who loose out. NCL and BRS are quite isolated airports in terms of local airport competition, but with the large LH presense over the hill.........?

 

[michael]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

I can see a time when there is one northern england link to LHR ie Manchester with BA and one Scotland link to LHR, ie Glasgow or Edinburgh with BA but not both. That will then leave the likes of FlyBe to concentrate on the 'smaller' airports on domestic. And as much as it hurts me to say I think 'our' hubs will become the likes of Amsderdam, CDG and Frankfurt. Alternatively it will be up to the smaller airports to source other airlines hubs and make use of them. If there is less feed in to LHr from the regions other carriers such as United/CO or EK might be tempted to look once again at the regions more seriously. Potentially I could see NCL becoming more important geographically - it's not on MANs doorstep like LBA is loosely speaking so the bigger regional airports could be LGW, BHX, MAN, NCL plus either EDI or GLA. With BMI out of the equation basically we have BA, Flybe, Eastern, Easyjet and Ryanair left domestically. Ryan and Easy have their european hubs but no-one mentions them for onward connections. FlyBe, eastern and potentially Jet2 could then feed in to NCL if the correct connections could be sourced. With EK or CO pax could then use Newark or Dubai as the hub for their longer haul and stick the preverbial 2 fingers up at LHR and BA!

 

[airforced]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

Michael I think the majority of people in the Regions have been sticking two fingers up at LHR for many years now with KLM being the only major player providing a hub and spoke service from the Regions for onward travel via AMS.

Going back to the late 70's I always used Teesside and KLM to Schipol and on to the Middle East rather than going to the dump that was (is) Heathrow. KLM were also a much better carrier than BA in those days. I'm not sure about that now as I wasn't impressed with KLM/Air France last time I used them to ATH.

 

[whoshotjimmi]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

Willy Walsh was on 5live this lunch time. When asked about jobs being created he said something along the lines of '50 seat aircraft will be replaced with bigger long-haul aircraft at Heathrow thus creating more jobs..'

He was suggesting that current BMI slots will largely be used for long-haul grwoth. It would be nice to see more domestic feeder services like they used to allow, but it just wont be happening.

I dont see why the Government would want to encourage domestic air travel anyway? I thought they were trying to discourage it by increasing taxes etc..

BMI mainline do not have any 50 seat aircraft.

 

[User0001]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

bmi have been using bmi Regional Embraers on some of the weaker LHR routes

 

[whoshotjimmi]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

Wow. They really are in trouble aren't they. Needless to say, the purchase of BMI would not include the regional fleet. So the point about increasing jobs is, in reality, moot. It was always likely that they would put larger aircraft on better routes anyway should they get the slots.

Interestingly, people are writing off UK flights. I don't think we should be doing that just yet. The purchase of BMI and therefore slots would mean that a decent number of slots would become available purely through the consolidation of Manchester, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Berlin and Nice services - well timed slots at that - as well as those that will be consolidated at Tripoli. I know there is an awful long way to go, but I do not think anything should be counted in or out just yet. There is a lot of potential and I would hesitantly suggest that, with increased services, BA may just like a little bit more of a safety net to fend off Emirates, KLM and Lufthansa etc in the form of uk connections.

 

[User0001]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

slots would become available purely through the consolidation of Manchester

bmi have been using bmi Regional Embraers on some of the weaker LHR routes

Know its slightly OT but as its been mentioned in this thread, to show how undecided bmi's decisions were, after the much publicised contraction of MAN-LHR to 4 daily ERJ's, this winter still sees them up to 7 daily with the use of ERJ's, A319/20/21's!

Glad BA have brought them, they might actually start to make sense now!!!!

 

[tleeds]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

Seeing as though everyone's discussions regarding the BMI sale are in this thread, I thought I might post this here:

[textarea]BA and Virgin Atlantic set for £300m dogfight for BMI

ARCH enemies British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are locked in a £300million dogfight for rival BMI.

BA’s owner, International Airlines Group, yesterday announced it had reached an “agreement in principle” with Lufthansa to buy the loss-making carrier.

But Virgin hit back, saying IT had also made a bid for BMI, and branding the IAG deal “disastrous” for passengers.

The stand-off heralds a tug-of-war for control of BMI and, with it, valuable landing slots at Heathrow Airport – what the deal is really about.

Buying BMI would increase BA’s number of slots to over 50%, leaving Virgin with just 3.1%.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/city-news/ ... z1cp8cKIJO[/textarea]

 

[User0001]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

I notice today that bmi has applied for LBA-FRA.

I must inform that these slots were applied for BEFORE the sale, but, I wonder if LH could still see a desire to use them.

0700 A BD 1761 26MAR 26OCT 12345__ ER4 LBA LBA J W1
0740 D BD 1762 26MAR 26OCT 123456_ ER4 0410 LBA LBA J W1

1315 A BD 1763 26MAR 26OCT 12345__ ER4 2000 LBA LBA J W1
1315 A BD 1763 01APR 21OCT ______7 ER4 LBA LBA J W1

1355 D BD 1764 26MAR 26OCT 12345__ ER4 LBA LBA J W1

There doesn't seem to be a late afternoon/evening slot booked, but, I would expect that to change should these slots actually be used, as 3 daily seems the norm for UK-FRA on Lufthansa.

 

[Aviador]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

I notice today that bmi has applied for LBA-FRA.

I must inform that these slots were applied for BEFORE the sale, but, I wonder if LH could still see a desire to use them.

0700 A BD 1761 26MAR 26OCT 12345__ ER4 LBA LBA J W1
0740 D BD 1762 26MAR 26OCT 123456_ ER4 0410 LBA LBA J W1

1315 A BD 1763 26MAR 26OCT 12345__ ER4 2000 LBA LBA J W1
1315 A BD 1763 01APR 21OCT ______7 ER4 LBA LBA J W1

1355 D BD 1764 26MAR 26OCT 12345__ ER4 LBA LBA J W1

There doesn't seem to be a late afternoon/evening slot booked, but, I would expect that to change should these slots actually be used, as 3 daily seems the norm for UK-FRA on Lufthansa.

It's not the first time we have seen the airline apply for slots on this route but has never come to fruition. It's odd BMI is opening new routes to Germany at this time given the sale of the airline. I can only presume Lufthansa are planning on continuing the new routes opened up by BMI to Germany once the sale of BMI is complete.

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

I understand that regional will continue to operate under the bmi brand until at least October 2012 under it's new ownership. It dose makes me wonder though what are regional going do when they eventually go there own way next year. My guess is that they will most likely retain the Edinburgh and Glasgow routes and change the fare structure so to make both routes more viable.

If they are allowed to stay within the star alliance network or able to offer code-share services I can see the Brussels route been kept by regional and even see this new Frankfurt route been started just as they have recently done out of East Midlands.

But the big question is will the new look bmi regional be allowed to keep the Brussels route and offer a code-share with SN Brussels. Or will the Lufthansa group want SN Brussels to take over the route themselves and let them use there own metal?
If that's going to be the case I don't see Lufty doing a Frankfurt route from LBA themselves due to the reasons highlighted by both Aviador and User01

 

[eastcoaster]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

As you say Aviador, BMI have had slots before on this route and also to Munich and Hamburg. Nothing has ever come from them, either they were doing a temporary slot holding, or they are to be used from elsewhere and are hiding the application, which is not uncommon in the business. When a formal announcement is made by BMI/LBIA, then will I believe it to happen.

 

[Bigman]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

Surely one of the key issues is going to be the cost of these slots. Once they go independent, they will not have the financial might of BMI or Lufthansa to call on when it comes to applying for slots. I can see the EMA-FRA being such a victim.

They may have to leave the 'big boy' airports alone.

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

Well i didn't realise it, But according to a press release issued by the airport it's 10 years today that bmi regional started the Leeds/Bradford - Brussels route after the collapse of Sabena which use to operate the service 4x daily with Avro RJ85's.

The question is, How much longer will bmi regional operate it for? Will the new scottish owners of bmi regional keep it running or will Star Alliance/ & Lufthansa want SN Brussels to take it back over?

Source: http://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/about-the-airport/news/2011-14-11-bmi-lba-celebrate

bmi & LBA celebrate 10 years of Brussels flights

14 November 2011

bmi Regional celebrates ten years to Brussels bmi Regional, the UK’s most punctual airline, is today celebrating the tenth anniversary of its services from Leeds Bradford to Brussels.

Since the launch of the route on 12 November 2001, over 280,000 customers have enjoyed the service and, ten years on, the route continues to grow in popularity.

To help celebrate the anniversary, all bmi Regional passengers flying from Leeds Bradford to Brussels this week will receive a tasty Belgian chocolate gift to enjoy with the airline’s compliments.

Customers flying between Leeds Bradford and Brussels benefit from conveniently timed schedules, ideal for business or leisure travel as well as onward connections to key cities in Europe with partner airline Brussels Airlines.

Steven Griffiths, Business Director, bmi Regional, said:“I am very proud that we have served Brussels with our unique and stylish service for ten years. These two great cities are both important business and tourism centres and following our recent events held in both Leeds and Brussels it is great to see that the route is still as popular as ever.”

Tony Hallwood, Leeds Bradford Airport’s Commercial Director, said:“We are delighted to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this route which follows last month's visit of Leeds City Region (LCR) stakeholders to Brussels.

'The events in Belgium, organised by Marketing Leeds, provided an opportunity to discuss potential inward investment and drive international trade. Belgium is our region's sixth largest trading partner and the route is a vital link to this important political and economic hub."

bmi Regional customers benefit from the speed and comfort of an all jet aircraft fleet and bmi Regional’s unrivalled punctuality record; the airline has been officially recognised as the UK’s most punctual airline by the CAA for six consecutive years.

Competitive business or economy fares are available, with complimentary catering on board for all customers regardless of ticket type plus no charges for baggage or seat selection. Leeds Bradford Airport's Yorkshire Premier Lounge is available to bmi Diamond Club frequent flyer members with Gold and Silver status and at Brussels airport to customers travelling on Business fares.

bmi Regional flights are direct between Leeds Bradford and Brussels, with two flights per day offered Monday to Friday and one on Sundays. Fares start from £56 one way including taxes and charges and are available to book at flybmi.com.

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

Interesting development!

Don't know if anyone else has noticed but I see that bmi and Lufthansa's Star Alliance partner, Brussels Airlines are now advertising the Leeds - Brussels and service and world wide connections on the LBA website..

 

[tleeds]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

After you mentioned this Lbaspotter, I had a look and after a few refreshing's of the webpage it appeared on the top advertisement bar of the website.

Maybe it's a sign that it may eventually be transferred onto a Brussels Airlines aircraft...? The link does take you direct to the Brussels Airlines website and not that of BMI..!

The advertisement also was promoting the '21 African Destinations [Available] From LBA'.

 

[a300boy]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

Hope you are right and Brussels Airlines do come back on the route, but I doubt it as they are short of aircraft and using Bmi to the uk. Also a couple of our belgian first officers went to fly for them last year and they tell me they are in financial trouble with a possibility of fleet reduction and redundancies in the near future.
Me too I am afraid as we introduce our !! new !! A300-600 aircraft no place for me I suspect when they are all operational.

 

[Bigman]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

I can see the Brussels going when the whole sale business gets resolved. Ryanair might consider jumping in on Charleroi, which would be far cheaper for leisure punters.

 

[whoshotjimmi]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

I would prefer FlyBe on a Belfast - Leeds - Brussels, with a nice early departure time from LBA. Better for leisure, arguably better (certainly cheaper) for business. How much connecting traffic really uses the Brussels route? I would like to guess at not that much to be quite honest. It would safeguard the LBA - Belfast/Brussels routes as well as opening up a Belfast - Brussels route which, currently, does not exist. I am surprised Brussels Airlines are struggling so badly. Considering that Brussels is arguably the capital of Europe, the business possibilities must be huge.

Having said all that, BMI have themselves reported the route to be quite strong. It is a traditional stronghold at LBA so I wouldn't necessarily write them off just yet.

 

[wawkrk]

Re: British Midland International (BMI)

In the days of sabena, I used Brussels as a hub airport quite a lot as did many other the passengers.
Now with the new terminal it is rather pleasant compared to the old terminal and, there are some great onward connections and it is less crowded than AMS and much better than CDG.