That's why they had to be forced to actually take it over in the first place. They didn't want it once they saw what was going on, however the actions of the people charged with turning it around have been somewhat mystifying.

The phrase "rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic" could have been designed solely for bmi in the last couple of years.

Cat 3, it will be a very sad day if/when (obviously when...) bmi ceases to exist as an individual airline. Even before I joined I had a massive soft spot for bmi and I've loved trying my best to help in any way I can to try and return the company to something near it's best. Unfortunately that effort has seemingly been completely in vain.
I cannot describe how galling that feels. Multiply that company wide and it's amazing that anyone will actually bother to turn up tomorrow. Of course we will, but by god it's tempting.

Couldn't agree more and all involved will be 'hopefully' ashamed of themselves for years to come.
In reality they'll be off to some other project to make some more dosh while making a few thousand more redundant. As I said ' living might seem like ages, rotting i hell is forever.

Just out of idle curiosity, how many long and medium haul a/c do BA have based at LGW?

How quickly could BA relocate their long haul ops from LGW to LHR? Would those fabled bmi slots be enough to cover a complete retreat from Gatwick?
Just a thought....

They have 8-9 B777-200ERs per day on long haul with a winter based fleet of 19 B737-400s, joined by 2-3 A319s over the summer.

It's more than enough to consolidate all long haul at Heathrow however they have a rather good operation at Gatwick that works rather well on a (mainly) point to point business model, LHR opportunities *may* be better suited to contine adding frequency to business destinations funneling connecting traffic onto long haul.

Depends on what the synergies of taking the B777s out of Gatwick would be.

Given those numbers then I guess it could be possible.

With economies of scale in a single location, it is not beyond the bounds of imagination that BA concentrate all their firepower in one location, they have also just gained some additional mx hangar capacity as well (assuming the stories are true - of course).

Stockley Close and the old BMed building would be available should there be any additional office space required.

It will be a very sad day when the last bmi tail fin flies into history :sad:

RNS Number : 5082R
International Cons Airlines Group
04 November 2011

IAG AND LUFTHANSA REACH AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE ON THE SALE OF BRITISH MIDLAND LTD


International Airlines Group (IAG) and Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Lufthansa) have today reached an agreement in principle for the sale of British Midland Ltd (BMI) to IAG.

The sale and closing of the deal remain subject to conditions including a binding purchase agreement, further due diligence and regulatory clearances. It is envisaged that the purchase agreement will be signed in the coming weeks and the aim is for the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2012.

BMI acquired by IAG
 

Just heard on BBC Radio4 Today programme (incl. interview with Willie Walsh).

BMI acquired by IAG.

Will have to see what competition authorities think of it, but it seems to be the final chapter entered for formerly independent British airline. Sad day. RIP.

IAG to take over BMI
 

Just been on Sky. Lufthansa agree to sell BMI to IAG (BA + Iberia). Despite the fact that Lufthansa has been talking to Virgin (who presumably could not come up with an accetable offer) standby for Beardy to start whingeing.

BD

So now the speculation starts as to what will happen next................

Good luck to all the employees for the future.

If it is true, it's a shame. I flew on them just last week ago, and several times in the last year, always thought how good they are.

Can't find anything on the BBC website but I did find this in the Torygraph :

British Airways owner IAG close to £300m Bmi deal - Telegraph

The deal would likely signal the end of the Bmi brand as IAG – the company formed from the merger of BA and Iberia – is only interested in Bmi's Heathrow slots. Bmi owns 8.5pc of the slots at Europe's busiest airport.

and this !
Ryanair chief: 'Pay for a Greece flight in goats'
More publicity for M O'Tormouth!

What about the baby?
 

Is bmibaby in the scope of this agreement?

I doubt BA would have included Baby in the deal, if anything, it would just serve as something they would have to spend money to on get rid of.

Yep just had the word from the CEO. Looks like an exercise to tie up loose ends. I have loved working for Bmi, and will miss the company, but not the crew meals, bloody tight trousers :ugh:,

Fingers crossed for the future of all the employees.

Any mention of Regional or baby?

AFAIK, Baby and Regional aren't included.

Regional and Baby do not make up a part of the IAG deal.

Hmm-

So what happens to them?

It was announced last week that Regional is being sold to a private consortium. Key individuals in the consortium are believed to be previously associated to Business Air.

A shame, but at least now they'll have one corporate identity for more than a few years. I too found their service and product to be good over the years and wonder how difficult it will be to merge the two corporate cultures together, something often overlooked in the rush.

Flypuupy
 

My reading is that IAG have bought bmi and at this point in time that includes both regional and bmibaby, regional is of course sold subject to contract and baby is probably not far behind.

God bless all who sail in her