Fly bmi

[White Heather]

Re: bmi

If you are right Aviador then it is a big disappointment. However, perhaps this is just something extra, as I undestood that the discussions involved a low cost carrier operating direct from LBA to MLA. By any stretch of the imagination BMi are not low cost. I can't imagine that the Maltese Government would have wanted this, although in the present climate, perhaps no low cost airline thought the numbers stacked up and this is the best they can get. Time will tell I guess!

 

[White Heather]

Re: bmi

Malta is a relatively tiny island, so it is difficult to imagine that passenger numbers would ever be significant on the route if operated. Perhaps in the current economic climate it is felt that the route would not be sustainable from LBA - or that there is a risk in starting it at this time. On the other hand, maybe they (whoever they might be) have just not got around to announcing it yet.

I think this is the sort of route that Ryanair would operate from LBA if they ever get around to opening the long awaited base here!

 

[wawkrk]

Re: bmi

And dont forget, Malta is in the euro.Not so cheap as it used to be when you could buy a bottle of local Marsovin wine for 20P.
But still cheaper than the Costas I suppose.

 

[eastcoaster]

Re: bmi

Have just seen that the BD411 to Heathrow has come forwarded to an 0645 departure again for the summer timetable. It can't have been easy recovering that slot again. All subsequent morning flights now operate earlier to fit in with this timing.

 

[Aviador]

Re: bmi

Not confirmed yet but I have heard on good authority that the Heathrow service will be operated by the A319 again, hence the new slots. It is likely that this will only be through the summer months and the EMB-145 will probably be back come the next winter season.

 

[White Heather]

Re: bmi

That will be great news if it happens. I imagine what aircraft is used next winter will be determined by how the economy is at the time, and hence how many people are flying.

 

[White Heather]

Re: bmi

Typical of BMi and entirely predicatable. I seem to recall a few people predicting this once the code share agreement with SAS came in and as expected, passenger are now having to go via Brussels. I wonder why BMi always say 'suspended' when in reality they mean 'axed permanently'!

 

[Aviador]

Re: bmi

Time for an intervention by Ryanair perhaps maybe?

 

[yorkshire]

Re: bmi

Typical of BMi and entirely predicatable. I seem to recall a few people predicting this once the code share agreement with SAS came in and as expected, passenger are now having to go via Brussels. I wonder why BMi always say 'suspended' when in reality they mean 'axed permanently'


i always said that bmi are a dead loss never done much for lba!!!

 

[White Heather]

Re: bmi

So that is now London City, Cork, Jersey, Paris, Lille and Copenhagen that they have axed in the past 2 years or so. Lets hope LHR doesn't become the 7th

 

[eastcoaster]

Re: bmi

Announcement about LHR on either Wed or Thur this week, I am told. Don't hold your breath folks.

 

[Aviador]

Re: bmi

Well this is going to be one of two things then. Either the A319 is back on for the summer or London Heathrow is scrapped or 'suspended' as 'Yorkshire' rightfully said bmi prefer to call it.

 

[dispext]

Re: bmi

I'm sure if BMI pulled it then we'd get a replacement, altho more likely to be LGW, most probably flybe too. Maybe BA would be interested?!

 

[eastcoaster]

Re: bmi

There are few if any vacant early morning slots at LGW or City, so unlikely we'd get a replacement there as the early morning flight holds the key to the success of all the later flights. STN is pointless, as it is nowhere near London. The train from STN to the city probably would cost the same as the fare from LBA to STN should someone like FR take it on.
We may have to accept a future without any air service to the capitol. City pax will have to use the train, interliners will have to hope we get better connections to major hubs in Europe other than KLM. BMI won't be offering SAS availability through CPH anymore, not that the flight connected with much at the time it operated, as most of the flights left CPH before the LBA aircraft landed. If they are planning on replacing CPH with MUC or FRA, at the same times, then I'm afraid, BMI will fail yet again, and miss a perfect opportunity to connect with the LH network. The BRU is the only BMI service that offers any hope of reasonable connections with SN Brussels, but their network just isn't as extensive as the likes of KLM, SAS, LH, AF, AZ, or Emirates even. Now Dubai would be nice. If only.....that would cover all the long haul possibilities in the near, far east and all the SE Asia and Australasia destinations.

 

[Aviador]

Re: bmi

I think that the rumoured Frankfurt route could replace the LHR service. It would also mean that Frankfurt and Brussels would become the main interlining points for bmi at LBA. I think Flybe would be the best airline to takeover a Capital route because their pricing structure is more suited to UK domestic travel.

 

[rmac]

Re: bmi

If BMi do pull off the LHR route would BA be interested? They have a code share with BMi albeit for interconnecting flights but a BA service from LBA if only twice daily would be a tremedous boost for Yorkshire. A Flybe service to Gatwick would be beneficial for those travelling to the capital and the south coast and also for connecting onto EasyJet, Ryanair etc etc from Gatwick to Europe.
Stansted may not be so good for central London from LBA for business etc, but again connecting onto other services it is excellent, even to-day I am connecting with EasyJet services through Stansted as the cost is so reasonable.

 

[Pat]

Re: bmi

What is wrong with bmi,why do they start up a service then close it down shortly afterwards.Dont they advertise it enough or is there just no market for them?

 

[Bigman]

Re: bmi

Would it really be a disaster if BMI pulled??? I am sure other operators would take an interest in most of the routes.

 

[White Heather]

Re: bmi

I am sure you are right Bigman, but it the inbetween stage before the replacement operator comes on board that does the damage, as passengers turn to other modes of transport and often don't come back for some time, even when a new operator starts up. At the moment, airlines may think twice about starting a route - even one that until recently was successful, such as Edinburgh or Glasgow. So whilst with their track record I wouldn't shed a tear over BMi leaving LBA, it could have serious implications if another airline doesn't take over the route immediately.

Personally, I hope it is Flybe as I think they will make a better fist of it and the aircraft are bigger and more fuel efficient too. If BMi do leave, and Flybe pick up the likes of EDI and GLA (adding to their ABZ service) it just might give them the incentive to open the LBA base they have been talking about for the past few years.

 

[eastcoaster]

Re: bmi

It's official. LBA-Heathrow axed.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/32724a1e-fdf7 ... ck_check=1

Believed to finish end of winter timetable 28 March.