As the majority of the bmi fleet is leased and most of these leases (esp A319 s) will be due to end within the next couple of years what is to stop IAG renewing the leases for a BA Express operation instead of BA ? the scope agreement surely does not cover aircraft that are lease expired.
A BA express operation is inevitable in the next couple of years regardless of whether we like it or not, why make concessions now instead of later when there will be more to play for.