I would have thought that BMI would have a look at the options as they have a good feeder network from Scotland.

I know nothing I admit to do with aviation so should really hover on a.het I guess....

It would make more sense for VS I guess to fly and then codeshare across the pond with SQ - provides an alternative to LHR and FRA and with the right timings could complimentary feed each others services... but then SQ is going to 5 a week so not great either...

VS probably don't have a spare hull either for it.

NMS

I also come from a position of little knowledge, but with the current economic gloom, and so much invested in the start of open skies services, I can't see anyone rushing to fill the BA gap. However come 2010 it is possible that phase 2 of open skies won't be agreed, in which case phase 1 also stops. Capacity, and the a proportion of the pax that have been routing through LHR will then have to look for somewhere else to go, which may trigger regional expansion.

Don't know how likely OS2 is to get knocked back, but that looks to be the next trigger point at present, followed by Virgin receiving 787s from 2011.

bmi have made a fortuitous decision on avoiding the US market out of LHR and I doubt they will seek a MAN-US route in the near future. Things are getting tougher for all concerned over the Atlantic. You only need to watch an evening of TV to realise the effects of the credit crisis...

How long are these 2 757s expected to be around for? Are they are temporary fix before bmi can source more aircraft? I'm of the understanding that the airline does have a shortage of aircraft, bearing in mind its expansion into the middle east. Are they really happy with what they've got?

Presumably an airbus order now or in the near future wouldn't bring a new airframe onto the line for some time bearing in mind the A320 family order backlog... Now that its fairly certain that easyJet will be looking to remove the ex GB A320/1's from their fleet, would bmi be interested in these aircraft? Or the few that GB had on order which should be due for delivery shortly?
:)

Don't know how long they will remain. They are said to be contracted for 2 years but could easily be longer and potential for further Astraeus or another company's airframes.

As far aircraft shortage is concerned, this summer bmi will be one Airbus airframe down, allowing one to go to Baby. Also taken on a lot of charter work, so had their been not so much a charter requirement, they could easily have had further surplus aircraft.

Hence a number of unhappy campers at bmi, with Astraeus operating midhaul routes on behalf of BMI and in the process taking bmi pilot positions. Total disregard of mainline 'SCOPE' agreement and possibility of some sort of union intervention. Concern that Astraeus will spread to other midhaul routes. Not a million miles away from the BA/Openskies issue. We wait with baited breathe for news......

All very heartwarming I'm sure... but happens when BMI's acquired mid-east expansion reaches the end of the year... and the "borrowed" LHR slots are returned to BA... shortage of planes then??? or shortage of routes... Or they may well all be garbed in Lederhosen with a feather in the hat if Lufty excercise their option... "end zen ver du ve go..."

Achtung, zee Germans are coming!

http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/...fx4933674.html
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...caxQ8vj833NWLw

A

Looks like the big hairy German gorilla in the corner is stirring.......

The other big hairy gorilla (Branson) better get his skates on if he wants bmi.

Just wondering
 

Not sure if this is the right place to post?

Was on a BMI A319 from EDI-LHR recently and it has been puzzling me ever since as to what the music was that was played in the background as we were coming in. Does anyone know what BMI's tune is?

It was probably Now69 from a fellow passenger!

MM

Wasn't the German national anthem, was it? :E:E

(joking, honest!!! :O)

What would become of Baby & Regional if Lufthansa moved in? Bye-bye to both?

Lufthansa to buy bmi.
 

Lufthansa has had an excellent first quarter and has decided to splash out and buy bmi.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...caxQ8vj833NWLw


Looks like the industry consolidation has started.

bmi and LH
 

This taken form the bmi wedsite and SMB. For the full story see bmi.com and go to the press release pages.

'Sir Michael also addressed the speculation surrounding bmi’s ownership, saying: “I can confidently say that bmi’s shareholders will not permit an event to arise through which the airline would become the subject of any opportunistic or under-valued approach.
“Whether bmi remains independent and grows through acquisition or whether the shareholders decide another course, we will not be bounced into any particular direction by comments from other carriers or the media.
“The future of the business will be determined with the best interests of bmi, its shareholders and staff being paramount.”

I think any is possible. LH in charge or bmi still independent or what. Who knows??

What weasel words... If there's already an agreement for Lufthansa to buy, then their approach cannot really be classed as "opportunistic"... Likewise, with only three shareholders (SMDB, LH and SK), him making it sounds as though a whole host of people or parties have an input is largely a non-issue. Its also good to head ("the best interests of bmi, its shareholders and staff being paramount") SMDB doesn't rate the interests of his customers in any of this.

Andy

1st BMI A321 in New Livery
 

The 1st BMI A321 of the original BMED order (and the first BD 321 to receive this livery) has been painted in the current livery, and I must say it looks great!

SAM-EMA

any pics sam-ema??

Am I right in thinking the first ever A321 in the full "new" livery is / will be G-MEDN? I'll have to refer to the "fleet" page in the back of Voyager magazine and imagine what it must look like until we get a pic online somewhere.

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/view...LC=&picid=4689

Enjoy guys!!

G MEDN makes sense, as the last one was G MEDM, can't wait to fly it!!