bmi Regional commits to Manchester and East Mids
6 June 2012
Robert Sturman has been named chief executive and Ian Woodley chairman of bmi Regional.
The sale of the airline by British Airways parent, International Airlines Group, to Sector Aviation Holdings completed last week.
Sturman and Woodley, along with Graeme Ross, who will oversee business development at bmi Regional, are all part of the Sector consortium.
Following completion of the deal, Woodley said: ‘We are continuing with the existing route network while BA will provide support during the transitional phase of the operation and we will be working closely with them to ensure as seamless a transfer as possible.
‘I would also like to reassure our many customers, who will have naturally been wondering what the future holds during what has been a very uncertain period, that it is very much business as usual including the retention of the bmi brand and existing services.
‘This is a great company with fantastic people and my colleagues and I are immensely proud to have concluded the acquisition of an organisation that is held in such high regard throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.’
The Sector deal secures 330 bmi Regional jobs and the airline plans to strengthen its head office at East Midlands Airport with the creation of up to 40 new posts in sales, customer service and finance.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG), owner of East Midlands and Manchester airports, welcomed Woodley’s announcement.
Ken O’Toole, MAG chief commercial officer, said: ‘Today’s news that jobs are protected and the airport’s connections to Brussels and Frankfurt from East Midlands Airport and Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Lyon from Manchester Airport will be maintained is extremely positive.
‘Both airports are the region’s gateway to Europe and preserving routes to major European and UK hubs is vital. bmi Regional recognises the importance of global connectivity and, in turn, the benefits this brings to passengers in the region.
‘We are now looking forward to working closely with the new owners, to build on the strong operations we already have and develop the network further.’
Sector is being funded by Stephen and Peter Bond, who have extensive aviation investment experience, including at Scottish regional Loganair and Alliance in Australia.
bmi Regional currently operates over 600 flights a week and Woodley confirmed ‘it is very much our aim’ to develop the airline’s network in both the UK and Europe.