A shame in a way... but the loads are probably more suited to an Avro than a 319.
Whenever I've flown the route, most passengers seem to have been holding Swiss-issued codeshare boarding cards with the LX flight number anyway.
Only problem is the prices will go back up, I expect. Had some dirt cheap return tickets on the route with BMI; it was always quite a bit more when operated by Swiss.
Still, at least the link will continue, particularly if BMI is sold and ended up exiting Star Alliance. There's definitely a market - unfortunately probably not quite enough for a daily A319.
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EDIT: Further to this; it appears to be a straight aircraft swap. The BMI A319 will instead operate a return BSL-BCN-BSL for Swiss between its Heathrow duties (effectively a wet-lease with a LX flight number but not a BD one, and not bookable through BMI.) The RJ100 previously used for this will presumably be what operates to Manchester.
Last edited by Zippy Monster; 16th Sep 2011 at 17:58.
Reason: Additional info