BMI
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Courchevel
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I agree, good post Mr Benip. There's no expansion into long haul or anything else on the cards, that would be utter folly in this economic climate. Expect more short-term cuts. The bmi ship rarely sails in less than storm force 9 or worse!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: South of MAN, North of BHX, and well clear of Stoke ;-)
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With regards to making London a competitive environment for aviation, merging the operations of bmi and Virgin would be ideal.
LHR is one, if not THE most competitive environment in commercial aviation.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Regrettably far from 50°N
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Donington Hall would never be sold to a housing developer - grade II*, oval stair hall, ceilings and friezes in Adam style, ionic pilasters, Jacobean-style fireplaces. Not a chance they would carve that into flats.
On the subject of Regional, do you think that Flybe would want it? Completely different route structure, operates into a load of different airports (that could be good if Flybe look to expansion, but they may wish to focus on Nordic first) and mainly services oil industy. With Connect there was the fleet overlap in the Dash 8s and the 146s/RJs - and the 135s which were/are continuing to be (not sure which) retired. There was also the element of removing the competition which Connect had previously posed.
Jet2 would obviously be very keen on baby although this would nearly double their size? Also, could they find the money?
Lufty/BA will have an interesting time convincing unions and competition commissions that a mainline selloff to them would be a good thing. We will have to see.
On the subject of Regional, do you think that Flybe would want it? Completely different route structure, operates into a load of different airports (that could be good if Flybe look to expansion, but they may wish to focus on Nordic first) and mainly services oil industy. With Connect there was the fleet overlap in the Dash 8s and the 146s/RJs - and the 135s which were/are continuing to be (not sure which) retired. There was also the element of removing the competition which Connect had previously posed.
Jet2 would obviously be very keen on baby although this would nearly double their size? Also, could they find the money?
Lufty/BA will have an interesting time convincing unions and competition commissions that a mainline selloff to them would be a good thing. We will have to see.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: STN BHX EMA
Age: 42
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Extremely valid points IMHO Aeromad, other than the comment re LS.
Jet2.com fleet = 38 with at least 5 orders
BMI Baby fleet = 14
Clearly wouldn't anywhere near double Jet2.com fleet, incidently I think it would be a bad idea for LS.
Jet2.com fleet = 38 with at least 5 orders
BMI Baby fleet = 14
Clearly wouldn't anywhere near double Jet2.com fleet, incidently I think it would be a bad idea for LS.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LHR
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Lufty/BA will have an interesting time convincing unions and competition commissions that a mainline selloff to them would be a good thing. We will have to see.
For frontline staff, an acquisition by IAG is the best option. They will need the extra staff to absorb the increase in the flying programme.
Join Date: May 2011
Location: IOM
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U2 vs BD - completely different product and with the way Stelios is being lately, doubt it'll happen, I really do. LHR isn't grounds for a budget airline - people only go to LHR for connections, U2 don't want to deal with that.
My personal opinion is:
Regional -> Eastern
Baby -> Jet2 (they have big money people behind them) OR U2
Mainline -> BA/IAG or AF/KLM
That's the only bunch I can see working, honestly. Eastern has been touched upon before, they already operate the Regional aircraft types. Jet2 need spare a/c it seems, most of them have catering trolleys stuck out of the side of them (joke) and U2 have handled mergers before, e.g. Go.
Mainline is tricky, I think Mainline will be the struggle and unless someone like IAG/BA or AF/KLM comes along - I don't think 1) It's going to be affordable for anyone else like Jet2 or 2) It's going to be able to be revived by anyone else.
Good luck to all affected by this drama anywho!
My personal opinion is:
Regional -> Eastern
Baby -> Jet2 (they have big money people behind them) OR U2
Mainline -> BA/IAG or AF/KLM
That's the only bunch I can see working, honestly. Eastern has been touched upon before, they already operate the Regional aircraft types. Jet2 need spare a/c it seems, most of them have catering trolleys stuck out of the side of them (joke) and U2 have handled mergers before, e.g. Go.
Mainline is tricky, I think Mainline will be the struggle and unless someone like IAG/BA or AF/KLM comes along - I don't think 1) It's going to be affordable for anyone else like Jet2 or 2) It's going to be able to be revived by anyone else.
Good luck to all affected by this drama anywho!
Why on earth would easyJet want bmibaby? They've just spent the last few years trimming down the Boeing fleet and Stelios is dead set against further expansion. What would they want with a bunch of old 737s and a few small bases where they've previously shown no interest?
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: sussex
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As a prevous poster said, BA Man to JFK was at times a popular route but the logistics and yields made it unprofitable and it was shut down.
Its easy to fill aircaft with passengers- its more difficult to make money doing it.
If BA holds its nerve it can pick up the slots and expand rather than have all the hassles (and costs) of a merger.
Its easy to fill aircaft with passengers- its more difficult to make money doing it.
If BA holds its nerve it can pick up the slots and expand rather than have all the hassles (and costs) of a merger.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: gate 67 JFK
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Expect the unexpected!
It needs someone with a lot cash and a good understanding of the airline industry, why buy a brand if you already own U2 or Jet2?
WW is fast becoming a neat little airline, that well liked by it's midlands passengers and needs an investor who can take it forward
Sound just right for a Knighted gent up the road with very deep pockets and on one to spend it on!
WW is fast becoming a neat little airline, that well liked by it's midlands passengers and needs an investor who can take it forward
Sound just right for a Knighted gent up the road with very deep pockets and on one to spend it on!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK FIR
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What would an investor be getting if they bought bmiBaby? The brand is kind of pointless without bmi, the aircraft are all leased, old and need significant sums spent on them. Anyone can set up routes, so no real value there.
So from a business point of view, it really doesn't look like a good deal. I don't see what any other operator would gain by buying WW rather than let it die of natural causes.
So from a business point of view, it really doesn't look like a good deal. I don't see what any other operator would gain by buying WW rather than let it die of natural causes.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: gate 67 JFK
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G AWZK
The long playing broken record of AWZK returns from his hols with another stunning contribution !!
You must be a fun glass half empty person to be around, er not, what is wrong with wanting a business to prosper and create/save jobs?
The airline & aircraft do not need major investment, the aircraft are leased, just go out and lease some more
You must be a fun glass half empty person to be around, er not, what is wrong with wanting a business to prosper and create/save jobs?
The airline & aircraft do not need major investment, the aircraft are leased, just go out and lease some more
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: East Midlands
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I know this is the bmi thread...
What would an investor be getting if they bought bmiBaby? The brand is kind of pointless without bmi, the aircraft are all leased, old and need significant sums spent on them. Anyone can set up routes, so no real value there.
Moving away from the bmi group, all baby would need to do is focus even more on it's 'baby' branding and use of 'Tiny'. Perhaps all they would need to do is replace the bmibaby with 'flybaby'. They also come along with an operating certificate, experienced staff and knowledge of the markets... so in my opinion, a good investment rather than setting up something new!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK FIR
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The airline & aircraft do not need major investment, the aircraft are leased, just go out and lease some more
I am sure there won't be any issues or penalty clauses with breaking the current leases.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: 35,000 feet
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Good point - raises a few questiions.
1. How much of baby losses are due to expensive maintenance being contracted to mainline.
2. Could baby contract out maintenance and support services (accounts, ticketing or whatever) provided by mainline elsewhere.
Could they turn fairly small losses year on year to a profit
MK
1. How much of baby losses are due to expensive maintenance being contracted to mainline.
2. Could baby contract out maintenance and support services (accounts, ticketing or whatever) provided by mainline elsewhere.
Could they turn fairly small losses year on year to a profit
MK
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Baltimore, MD
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EI?
What about a merger of EI and BMI(mainline & regional)? It would make the combined entity a significant player in LHR and also an interesting future target for the likes of IAG or AF/KLM.... ... just a thought.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LHR
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Ryanair would not allow EI to buy BD. They're already pressing EI to pay out a dividend.
Ryanair steps up Aer Lingus confrontation - FT.com
Ryanair steps up Aer Lingus confrontation - FT.com