...and a pretty lacklustre performance from Baby at MAN. Having burst on the scene, they've let Monarch & especially Jet2 put them in the shadows. Except for Bordeaux & Perpignan, their routes are pretty predictable serving destinations well served by everyone else. Their aircraft interiors look pretty shabby compared to others & the staff uniforms are anything but smart.
Tiny is certainly in need of an image boost & some more imaginitive route structure. Now they also have Thomsonfly challenging them on the bucket & spade routes-but TOM are complimenting their schedules with the likes of Salzburg, Lisbon & other euro destinations.
Wake up Tiny & do something new & exciting at MAN............anything !

The thing is, bmibaby manage to pull their own weight within the bmi group with our fleet of Boeing 737 classics, yes they might not be as new, comfortable or efficient as aircraft operated by some of our competitors in the low-cost market, but for the time being they're doing a pretty good job, with another few arriving in 2007. I think most people can deal with shabby interiors on a flight of two hours or less, though I agree that the leather seats on some of Jet2.com's aircraft look very nice considering they're about the same age as baby's. Concerning uniform, our current uniform is a huge improvement over the old one, and it's worth considering that if you're doing a job which involves 4 sectors and turnarounds in the 25 to 40 minute range, you want a uniform that is comfortable and functioning which is exactly what the present one does. I'd like to see more routes from MAN, CWL & EMA, and hopefully the recently announced BHX routes is an indicator that WW are thinking of more than just extra AGPs.

bmi to announce Damman shortly
 

Thats what I was told from a very reliable source. We'll just have to wait now for the announcement. Remember guys you heard it here first.

I heard that a while back when they were analyzing it from a security standpoint. Any expansion is welcome but some of the routes we seem to be looking at don't look like much fun for the crews in terms of nightstop destinations or security.

Fleet renewal at last?
 

Memo from NT yesterday stating bmi group putting out tender in New Year for 20 a/c with 20 options.Unclear whether for baby,regional or both.E-jets anyone?Or are we bidding on something from AV Roe to fit in with the Classic fleet we have.

The memo doesn't specifically state which part of the bmi group is getting the aircraft, or indeed whether its shorthaul, mediumhaul or longhaul aircraft the airline is planning on ordering. The E-Jet is a wonderful idea for bmi, there are plenty of baby routes which would be well suited to the 108-seat EMB-190 or 118-seat EMB-195, these plans have some great economics and there seems to be a decent wait on the delivery line given some JetBlue and Swiss deferrals, compared to a lengthy wait for Boeing 737NGs. I'm not sure how well it went, but it's a decent rumour considering the EMB-190 demonstrator bmi management had at EMA over the summer.

Bmibaby has a new website design, looking suspiciously similar to Easyjets:rolleyes: .

So as most babys its copying its more able elders, BE, EZY, etc. Come on bmibaby wheres the fourth aircraft going? What are you up to?

Baby / Regional, hey I knew where not the best but what about Mainline and come to think about it Long Haul too ?

Heard rumours that 2 of next Classics may not be coming due lessors unhappy with maint being done in TLL and TLV-not European enough for them.Won't be the first time deliveries have been canx last minute.
Can't see more 330s comin due not enough routes for what we have at mo (unless there's a change of plan with Saudi flights) and memo points to no foreseeable change of Bermuda treaty next yr.
More 319s imminent in new year for mainline to replace 321s on handback.Team just gone to HAM to do pre-delivery inspections.

Can someone please explain the thinking behind getting rid of the 321s especially for the the DUB-LHR route which I believe is their busiest and replacing them with 320/319s? Why reduce capacity on their most profitable route?

The reason the a/c were not repainted is quite simple. BMI were under going the slow process of rebranding from british midland to bmi when the devastating events of 9/11 left the company nearly going under. Non of the aircraft we were flying and over a year old had been changed, it was planned to be done as and when the a/c went in for their major checks. Obviously the financial problems experienced ever since have left that process as not vital. All the other a/c that have the new colours were delivered just before or since then and the rest have gone.

And to answer why the 321's are being replaced; cut capacity increase cost especially now the LO CO operaters compete heavily on those routes from various airports in the South East and re focus the airline to mid haul destinations.

6

That makes sense now. So all aircraft that are in the fleet that are currently in old/hybrid/old Star Alliance colours, will remain that way until whenever they're retired from service? Shame.

Well, it's now the new year, and no aircraft order, I know I should probably give them time but I'm too excited.

Belfast City is their most profitable route and I understand that Dublin is performing well at the moment. I believe that the yield is what they're after at board level hence reducing capacity and lowering overall costs but taking more dosh per seat. I think Dublin will still have plenty of A321 capacity on it though, especially with the high summer demand.

Rgs, The Count

BMI
 

The days of high yields on short haul routes are over and airlines that don't adjust to that fact are going nowhere. Any news on BMI's Autumn discussions with the Cork Airport Authority?

It would be great news if they announced Dammam!

What would be the likely aircraft? They are quoted as saying the route would suit a narrowbodied aircraft. Would they lease another 75 like they did for the MAN-IAD flights or would they use the 330?

Regards

Mike

Count Von Altibar
 

I was reading your post saying that bmis most profitable route is Belfast City LHR

Thats interesting, and good news if true. But can I ask you where did you get that information from? It seems unusual for bmi to give this information? I realise that the BHDLHR is one of the busier in terms of aircraft movements but I am very interested to know where you got this news?

Airbus is in London today to unveil a big aircraft order, could this be bmi's order?

Almost impossible as the airline is in dire straits so why order more aircraft? Also, any order will not be 'big' and will most likely go to the bmi regional operation.

The short answer: no. The Airbus orders announced today were for AirAsia, for Grupo Marsans (Aerolineas Argentinas etc.) and for SALE (a lessor),