Bmibaby to be grounded

British Airways will over the next few months disembowel BMA, the once proud British airline vanishing from September, Peter Simpson MD of BA CityFlyer now managing affairs.  Some 500 staff will be affected.  BA owner IAG says that it is unlikely to find a buyer for bmibaby but it is understood that negotiations are still going on regarding bmi Regional.  Where it fits in as a stand-alone feeder, charter and point-to-point operation, is uncertain.  Eastern Airways and Loganair could have an interest.

Mr Simpson has a clear understanding of the problems:  “bmibaby has delivered high levels of operational performance and customer service, but has continued to struggle financially, losing more than £100m in the last four years.  In the consultation process, we will need to be realistic about our options.”

The changes mean that all bmibaby flights to and from Belfast will cease from 11 June (this will not affect bmi's mainline services to Heathrow).  bmibaby services from East Midlands to Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva, Nice, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newquay, and from Birmingham to Knock and Amsterdam, will cease on the same date.

The airline is still selling summer flights from East Midlands and Birmingham, but there will be no further flights from 20 September. www.bmibaby.com

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