BMI
Yes, although the difference seems to be that this is now a "hard" article discussing a definitive event rather than other more general pieces about bmi ownership which seem to rely on a level of conjecture. It also looks to confirm my earlier postings about a slot sale by bmi of the BMed LHR slots to BA.
BMI would have a very hard job buying Heathrow slots off Varig. Varig lost its slots at Heathrow and they were re-allocated by the coordinator - if my memory serves me well, they were given to Virgin Atlantic for its launch of services to Nairobi.
BMI would have a very hard job buying Heathrow slots off Varig. Varig lost its slots at Heathrow and they were re-allocated by the coordinator - if my memory serves me well, they were given to Virgin Atlantic for its launch of services to Nairobi.
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BA strikes secret Heathrow slots deal with BMI
Flightrider, I agree with your views in your two previous posts.
If this is now to be considered as a "hard" article discussing a definitive event there do seem to be contradictions within it.
At the same time in BRU where ATWOnline has had an interview also
In this article with a director
So what is really going on at DH at the moment only SMB really knows for sure,except for Virgin,BA,SAS,LH,and any number of U.S airlines waiting and, wanting to dominate LHR to U.S routes.
MR120
It is rather a coincidence on two fronts:
51 is exactly the number of weekly slots held by BMed at Heathrow this summer.
The purchase price of £30m bears a striking similarity to the amount that bmi paid for BMed.
51 is exactly the number of weekly slots held by BMed at Heathrow this summer.
The purchase price of £30m bears a striking similarity to the amount that bmi paid for BMed.
BMI recently bought a British Mediterranean Airways, a BA franchise airline, for £30m. British Mediterranean flies to central Asia and Syria and Lebanon in BA colours and using BA flight codes. BA could have stopped the sale under the terms of the franchise agreement, but did not.
But a BA source today denied there was any connection between the two transactions. “The slot deal has nothing to do with British Mediterranean,” the source said
But a BA source today denied there was any connection between the two transactions. “The slot deal has nothing to do with British Mediterranean,” the source said
Open skies deal leaves bmi's network, independence up in air
Parkes said he could not say if new US routes would be operated as bmi or as Lufthansa, which holds a 30%-minus-one share in the group. "I'm sure a lot of talk is going on between the shareholders," he laughed.
Regarding rumors of a possible takeover by British Airways, he said he "will not speculate on speculation," noting that Chairman Michael Bishop reiterated his desire to remain independent in several articles in the UK press.
Regarding rumors of a possible takeover by British Airways, he said he "will not speculate on speculation," noting that Chairman Michael Bishop reiterated his desire to remain independent in several articles in the UK press.
MR120
Last edited by MaxRange120; 30th Mar 2007 at 20:47. Reason: Spelling !!
Fair enough that SMB probably has a game plan in here to which none of the rest of us are party. I'm sure he hasn't got to where he is today without it.
However, it is rather incongruous that Nigel Turner was saying only last week that bmi ruled out any slot sales (post on the bmi/BMed crew thread with quote), yet this deal to flog a load of Heathrow slots to BA comes to light a week later. It doesn't say an awful lot for management integrity and openness with their employee groups, does it.
However, it is rather incongruous that Nigel Turner was saying only last week that bmi ruled out any slot sales (post on the bmi/BMed crew thread with quote), yet this deal to flog a load of Heathrow slots to BA comes to light a week later. It doesn't say an awful lot for management integrity and openness with their employee groups, does it.
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Just seen on the internet that bmibaby are intrested in opening a new base in the south. Most likely to be Bournemouth I would have thought. Is this true or are they just going to expand from there current bases
EMA01
EMA01
. No im being serious. Cant remember the website name but they were looking at Bournemouth and didnt know whether it was trueJoin Date: Nov 2005
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How about Lydd
Could the new base even be Lydd?
With the airport authorities at Lydd having a Titan B737 a few weeks ago doing trials, could they be thinking this could be an option in the south.
With the airport authorities at Lydd having a Titan B737 a few weeks ago doing trials, could they be thinking this could be an option in the south.
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well BmiBaby sait they wanted to expand 60% year on year from Birmingham, theres a lot of trouble with getting 737's plus they don't know where they want to put their a/c when they finally do get some.
Unless they close one of their stations they will struggle to get a 737-300 or 737-500.
Unless they close one of their stations they will struggle to get a 737-300 or 737-500.
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I don't think bmibaby will be opening any more bases in the forseeable future, the airline will instead be focusing on consolidating in the existing markets. bmibaby are already doing well to catch up with flybe at Manchester and Birmingham which will probably be two markets for further growth, East Midlands remains strong despite Ryanair competition and we're expecting more routes shortly, and I think Cardiff isn't doing too bad either. The issue for WW over the next year will be either sourcing additional 737 classics, or making the plunge to source in a new type, possibly as part of the tender bmi group put out earlier in the year.
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It has been announced that tomorrow (2nd April 07) bmi will be announcing big changes. I really am not sure of these changes but wondered if anyone else did. I saw somewhere that it might be an announcement of bmi buying GB Airways, or even bmi regional and bmibaby merging. anyone else know anything??
EMA01
EMA01
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I do remember something to do with bmi that is happening tomorrow, but I can't remember what, and since I didn't really understand your post Tisme I'm still non the wiser.
Could it be the results of the aircraft tender?
Could it be the results of the aircraft tender?
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Most likely. Or maybe a new livery but that is unlikely as its good the way it is.. I have just read on airliners.net forum that it could be about taking over GB airways or the expansion of over 20+ brand new aircraft for bmibaby and bmi. Hope this is true..
EMA01
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bmi is introducing Our Time is Now,
"We're improving our inflight service, and from 2 April 2007 diamond club members with blue plus status and above can enjoy complimentary food and drinks on board all bmi flights - including those offering a paid for service at London Heathrow. You'll also have preferential seating at the front of the plane on these Heathrow services - so you can get on and off, and on your way, more quickly."
"We're improving our inflight service, and from 2 April 2007 diamond club members with blue plus status and above can enjoy complimentary food and drinks on board all bmi flights - including those offering a paid for service at London Heathrow. You'll also have preferential seating at the front of the plane on these Heathrow services - so you can get on and off, and on your way, more quickly."
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OK. What was all the fuss for then.... 
Big deal they are improving some features on there club card. As my friend has just told me they need to do something quick otherwise they will lose out to Virgin and Easyjet ect... They need to improve there fleet quick if you as me.. G-MIDO is really dirty and looks old on the inside, looks older than a B735 of bmibaby's and thats saying something....
EMA01
Big deal they are improving some features on there club card. As my friend has just told me they need to do something quick otherwise they will lose out to Virgin and Easyjet ect... They need to improve there fleet quick if you as me.. G-MIDO is really dirty and looks old on the inside, looks older than a B735 of bmibaby's and thats saying something....EMA01
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Not sure how much you understand about PR EMA01, but the big deal is bmi announcing a major relaunch of their product, after a very mixed response to the NBM rolled out two summers ago. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see some new aircraft for us at bmibaby, or something else really exciting, but bmi must continue to keep their loyal customers close, and it's initiatives like this that will allow them to do that.
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Yes that is all true. But one thing that is still bugging me is that bmi do not have loyal customers really. BA, EI, and VS all want part of bmi? why?. Why do they want bmi so badly. Because of low pax, easy to get hold off, im not sure.. What ever it is they need to think quickly to increase this.. Do you know anything else about it?
EMA01
EMA01
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bmi does have loyal passengers, diamond club is one of the most generous frequent flyer programmes in the business, and even though the product has slipped since the introduction of the NBM, I think the company has always prided itself on its professionalism. There are regular passengers on bmibaby who have flown with us for years, and even though they miss some of the Midland touches, still tell us there are traces of the company in the low-cost airline which is why they prefer us over the competition. If anything, I'd expect British Airways or Virgin (forget Lingus) would want us because we have a loyal following of passengers would move over.
I'm yet to be convinced with any of the bids being put forward by BA or Virgin. Even though BA would still have a smaller share than Air France or Lufthansa in terms of their major hub, I still can't imagine that the MMC would allow a merger to take place. Virgin makes a lot of sense, but they haven't indicated what would happen to the regional elements of the business or where they propose to find £1bn. Lufthansa might be an option having turned around Swiss, but they might be more tempted to follow SAS and make a quick buck from selling their shares.
I'm yet to be convinced with any of the bids being put forward by BA or Virgin. Even though BA would still have a smaller share than Air France or Lufthansa in terms of their major hub, I still can't imagine that the MMC would allow a merger to take place. Virgin makes a lot of sense, but they haven't indicated what would happen to the regional elements of the business or where they propose to find £1bn. Lufthansa might be an option having turned around Swiss, but they might be more tempted to follow SAS and make a quick buck from selling their shares.
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The reason BMI seem to be flavour of the month is that they have a number of peak slots at LHR and Open Skies has just been agreed.
On top of that it is seen as a company that is 50%+ owned by someone who maybe willing to sell.
The NBM failed, Baby has been surpassed by a number of other Locos whilst its management dither and Regional is ticking along okay.
14% of the lHR slot pairs is the only thing to get excited about with BMI.
On top of that it is seen as a company that is 50%+ owned by someone who maybe willing to sell.
The NBM failed, Baby has been surpassed by a number of other Locos whilst its management dither and Regional is ticking along okay.
14% of the lHR slot pairs is the only thing to get excited about with BMI.