It is not made up nor is it a rumour. NT stated this fact at a recent recurrent.
Topslide6, Just because you don't like what the board says doesn't mean it's not true.
As for people wanting to see the demise of bmi, there will always be a handful of people wishing this upon bmi and other airlines. I personally do not. I want the whole of the bmi group to go from strength to strength and it disappoints me when I hear of NT putting out statements such as this.