BMI
LH have had someone on the board for over 10 years now and have continually had an opportunity to influence the fleet and network structure. Within that time they've had the ability to veto any fleet expansion plans for routes not to their liking.
Correct
Within that time they've had the ability to veto any fleet expansion plans.
Wrong. With 50% plus 1 share, SMB had the only veto and did exactly as he wanted.
The current masters had NO IDEA that SMB was starting up Baby until 8 January 2002 when the primary IT supplier was summoned to The Hall to a) make the airline bookable within the week and b) have it up and running in March.
In fact, no-one in the bmi organisation was aware of the plans until 2 January.
One of many true stories.
You have no idea.....
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RevMan2
LH has had someone on the board for over 10 years now.
I have to echo your sentiments. If LH had no idea about something as major as 'baby', what other surprises will they unearth now that they own the airline?
I wonder how many bmi 'old timers' will be as surprised to realize that LH were in the dark about many things.
I have to echo your sentiments. If LH had no idea about something as major as 'baby', what other surprises will they unearth now that they own the airline?
I wonder how many bmi 'old timers' will be as surprised to realize that LH were in the dark about many things.
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TSR2
Close down?
Why close down a business that you've just bought, that's trading ahead of the budget that you (LH) agreed and is cash positive?
I do agree that other than Jet2 or SMB i can't see anyone else buying it, as for just moving in on the routes, not that easy, baby seems to have a strong loyal customer base and have not walked away from any main routes despite the best efforts of Ryanair & Easyjet
The new board includes a return of Jorg Hennemann a long time LH director with previous in network planning and development of low cost markets.
Given BA's views on the 4-5 year recovery time for business traffic i suspect that there are a few in BA that reflect on whether it was that smart an idea to sell GO (looking back)
baby is already selling S10 and has been linked to tour operators programs for S10 so i guess it will be around for a little longer yet
Time will tell
Why close down a business that you've just bought, that's trading ahead of the budget that you (LH) agreed and is cash positive?
I do agree that other than Jet2 or SMB i can't see anyone else buying it, as for just moving in on the routes, not that easy, baby seems to have a strong loyal customer base and have not walked away from any main routes despite the best efforts of Ryanair & Easyjet
The new board includes a return of Jorg Hennemann a long time LH director with previous in network planning and development of low cost markets.
Given BA's views on the 4-5 year recovery time for business traffic i suspect that there are a few in BA that reflect on whether it was that smart an idea to sell GO (looking back)
baby is already selling S10 and has been linked to tour operators programs for S10 so i guess it will be around for a little longer yet
Time will tell
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They best be around in 2010, I've just booked a flight to PMI with them in May. They should just rebrand themselves as a different airline instead of closing them down, I suggest Midland Baby 
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IF VS was to take BD off of LH's hands then I think it will be a good thing.
Not simply because the two will fit together very well but I hope, as in the US, they would make some drastic changes to BD's on board service. I'm sure they wouldn't go for the LCC look like their companies down under and I think the perfect way for them to up stage any short haul carrier at Heathrow is to adapt the same/similar cabin to VX, which I must say, is THE best short haul product EVER!
I would assume they would be making changes to the fleet - after all, it's not like SRB likes anything from any other company associated with the Virgin brand.
Another bonus is the instant expansion of the Virgin airline network within Europe, N. Africa and Middle East. VS giving BD a makeover might just ruffle the feathers of BA enough for them to make some even more drastic changes and of course there would be a resuction in fares on competing routes.
And for that final reason alone - I am all for it!
Not simply because the two will fit together very well but I hope, as in the US, they would make some drastic changes to BD's on board service. I'm sure they wouldn't go for the LCC look like their companies down under and I think the perfect way for them to up stage any short haul carrier at Heathrow is to adapt the same/similar cabin to VX, which I must say, is THE best short haul product EVER!
I would assume they would be making changes to the fleet - after all, it's not like SRB likes anything from any other company associated with the Virgin brand.Another bonus is the instant expansion of the Virgin airline network within Europe, N. Africa and Middle East. VS giving BD a makeover might just ruffle the feathers of BA enough for them to make some even more drastic changes and of course there would be a resuction in fares on competing routes.
And for that final reason alone - I am all for it!
SAS319
Can't find that news in the public domain - could you post a link please? Mrs ETOPS works for Baby so I'm interested in how this might impact her job.
Reported today that Lufthasa is talking to Virgin about selling BD.
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I find it incredible that anyone still believes the spin that virgin put out.
They are making record profits but making another 105 pilots redundant
Where are the A380s they ordered.
They will be going into space next.
It's much more likely that Lufthansa are talking to SRB about buy VS than selling bmi.
They are making record profits but making another 105 pilots redundant
Where are the A380s they ordered.
They will be going into space next.
It's much more likely that Lufthansa are talking to SRB about buy VS than selling bmi.
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RB has been after BD for a long time but would never pay the price.
If Virgin did take over then it would most likely get someone else on board to take the risk and just re brand as perhaps Virgin European, a tactic RB has used many times.
If Virgin did take over then it would most likely get someone else on board to take the risk and just re brand as perhaps Virgin European, a tactic RB has used many times.