bmi is probably running around like headless chickens trying to find routes for their A330`s. It smacks Laker. Order aircraft then hope to get the route(s)....
Back in 1988 BM applied for 11 European routes ex LHR, only about 4-5 of them were started and most have been axed from what was started.
The management spent years and lots of money [wasted?] on this long haul venture. BMI missed its timing to do long haul, after it pulled off charter work with B707`s, and its "instant" airline charter/lease to 3rd world carriers back in the early 80`s.
Midland has sold its crown jewels to back this long haul [ground handling for one]
bmi denied that it was starting up a low cost airline to The Sunday Business only a few months later we have bmibaby which screwed the crews out of any T&C that they had.
BM had a bee in its bonnett regarding LHR routes-good move but all other bases lost out. Some of the best money making routes were lost ZRH, FRA so they could compete with OneWorld on Italian and Spanish destinations only to see some of them dropped.
BHX had a number of good routes, but with the lack of advertising Jersey European muscled in starting quitely with channel islands and now other european destinations. BM had a strong brand which lost its way, with BHX now closed.
LBA has a enlarged route struture, but with Jet2 will it last?
I wonder who/which part is making money and supporting bmi? Is it the baby?