BMI REGIONAL-2

[JSCL]

I believe SN have upped frequency on the back of this though. One of the rotations will use the airbus too.

I don't think they've upped frequency, just replaced one of the flights from the RJ to the 319. Considering SN used to have usually three MAN rotations on the RJ85 during Summer and FlyBe another 3/4 rotations to BRU, it's a huge drop in a capacity that even the 319 can't fill.

[KeyPilot]

I think changing IATA code from BD to BM is an error - will weaken brand in eyes of former BD pax. Unless they were required to in terms of purchase agreement from IAG?

Will be interesting to watch, but I can't see bmir surviving long. Cost base just doesn't work with 135/145 aircraft. History is littered with defunct minor airlines.

[johnnychips]

I don't think they've upped frequency, just replaced one of the flights from the RJ to the 319. Considering SN used to have usually three MAN rotations on the RJ85 during Summer and FlyBe another 3/4 rotations to BRU, it's a huge drop in a capacity that even the 319 can't fill.

What probably helped the Antwerp flight survive is that it was the last one from Manchester to Belgium. Then Ryanair introduced the Charleroi flight at the same time.

[Spitfire boy]

I hear a move from the LH/BD Amadeus IT plafform to a US low cost airline hosting platform work in progress. Hopefully this retains the functionality business travellers need such as interlining, codeshare etc. It should ensure travel agents sales via GDS and I note the www.bmiregional.com website in place presumably with a booking engine to come online soon behind it.

[ematom1]

Ive heard a rumour that the BMI Regional route from East Midlands to Brussels will be closing on December 21st, however the Frankfurt route remains in operation.
Can anyone confirm this?

[nef]

I don't have any special knowledge on this one way or the other, but looking at the CAA stats, they appear to show that loads on the EMA-BRU route have gone down noticeably since FRA. Maybe introducing FRA has undermined BRU, although how FRA will do in future with no LH codeshare is maybe questionable?

[ematom1]

From what I've heard no flights from 21st September I checked BMI website and there wasn't any available flights after that date

[BHX2FRA]

EMA - BRU

Flights to Brussels are still available on the flybmi website throughout the winter season. There is however a suspension of service for both the Christmas and New Year weeks which may have led to the misunderstanding.

[jerboy]

I hear a move from the LH/BD Amadeus IT plafform to a US low cost airline hosting platform work in progress. Hopefully this retains the functionality business travellers need

Since when did BD's IT platform ever work properly? It was a running joke amongst frequent flyers for years!!

I've experienced it from both sides of the desk (i.e. as staff and fairly regular passenger). The website looked pretty but was in many ways pretty useless and airport computer systems were constantly crashing. I can remember several occasions where the entire res/check-in/dispatch system fell over and the whole network was being managed manually with handwritten pax lists and load sheets being faxed all over the place... Not good.

Always thought it was odd when the whole thing was based on a LH system, which you'd expect to be fairly top-notch.

However a move to a low cost system doesn't sound promising; esp regarding the codesharing/interlining issues you mentioned.

[SWBKCB]

after the split with LH, are there any codesharing/interlining deals in place?

[Van G]

Antwerp and Bristol. And???

[Jamesair]

An interview on "routes on line" with the management said that NCL would be a part of future route plans, most likely from Summer 2013.

[BHX2FRA]

New logo?

There is a revised bmi regional logo on the Antwerp airport website:

[binsleepen]

Regional will operate with flight numbers starting with BM unlike BMI which used BD for some reason.

Regards

[flyingfrog]

"Regional will operate with flight numbers starting with BM unlike BMI which used BD for some reason"

British MidlanD = BA will continue to use the BD code until all flights cease, therefore regional needed a new code (BM) as they go it alone from end of October.

[flying phil 2007]

Embraer 145

Flew Edinburgh to Heathrow on one of their EMB145's
Does it make any economic sense flying something so small into LHR?
Its also quite cramped inside... plus the two cabin crew gave 'service with a scowl' AND we got soaked getting off the plane at LHR as there is no airbridge..(end of moan)

[cornishsimon]

Flew Edinburgh to Heathrow on one of their EMB145's
Does it make any
economic sense flying something so small into LHR?
Its also quite cramped
inside... plus the two cabin crew gave 'service with a scowl' AND we got soaked
getting off the plane at LHR as there is no airbridge..(end of moan)

No sense at all

BMI were using Regional to slot sit LHR slots with the existing fleet, BA have just continued the published schedule, which is why at the end of the Summer 2012 schedule BMIr will vanish from LHR.

BMI Regional do not hold any LHR slots


cs

[frontcheck]

As said above, BA are doing the same, holding onto slots until end of summer schedule.

[Cyrano]

Some more information on bmi regional's plans in this article.

[Rougueg]

The article found and cited by Cyrano above is excellent and brings all the information currently avaliable together in one source.

Again the Link is bmi regional prepares to launch as an independent operator | CAPA - Centre for Aviation

Well worth a read. Top marks to the Author.
Thanks to Cyrano for sourcing.

RG