Flightfone
Internal information suggest that bmibaby is more than holding its own and providing very useful forward cash flow whilst the business side of the group is finding business hard to come by which is no surprise. As to what LH may or may not do one should remember that LH have been a significant share holder in bmi for 10 years, indeed baby was set up under their watch and approval, baby reduction in fleet size is part of a lease commitment reduction on going through out the group (bmi)
LH own 75% of their fleet and in the longer term bmi will own more of its future fleet, as for baby who knows, a fleet of 17 aircraft is not big beans either way for LH and yes they may sell or close it, or of course keep it and grow it, but its not a priority for the board of bmi at this time, bmibaby winter program will be out shortly and that should leave things more settled for all until the spring of 2010.
A few letter on the side of a Ryanair (will not bother bmi or LH) everyone knows its par for the course of MOL and many pax have no idea what it means.
Looking at Ryanair it seems to me and others that they have over ordered new aircraft in the down turn and have had to find new routes at airports that have higher costs and delays than many of the airports used in its past growth pattern.
The plan to abloish checkin desks is an interesting developement, but it could go very wrong if as it seems it is desgined to screw yet more money from unsuspecting pax.
Hopefully things will settle down and there will be jobs for all