Some interesting questions from the limited info released: 56 slot pairs is a lot less than the 80+ that bmi held when LH took over. Assume they have retained quite a lot as payment for loans pumped in over the 2 years as only reported sales have been to BA.
Pension scheme staying with a UK subsidiary of LH.....hope the trustees have got a LH parent company guarantee given the size of the deficit!
Timetable looks optimistic as EC clearance unlikely to be obtained in phase 1 investigation (1 month from submission of application with all info the commission requires). Much more likely to go second phase procedure to deal with the overlapping route issues and to try to find other carriers willing to enter the affected markets (mainly domestics). Just because VS complains doesn't mean they will get slots to fly whatever routes they fancy.
Baby clearly won't last long in current form as BA say they don't want it and price adjustment downwards if they have to keep it, to deal with offloading at a loss or closure. I don't buy the suggestions here that an airport will buy it....would be no strategic logic at all, and can't see what's in it for another lo cost either unless a large dowry goes with it.
Regional deal rumoured to have been signed last week but funding is believed to be a problem....getting cash from banks or private equity to buy airlines in the current market must be a challenge with the uncertain security that an Embraer 145/135 fleet provides. Will Woodley and Ross be able to persuade someone? If not what will BA do with it?
Good luck to all at bmi....still some way to go unfortunately as its still LH's until competition clearance and don't expect BA to be making any specific announcements about jobs other than what Willie has said already until it is legally theirs.