Maybe not a merger, just a closer reign over the management of Regional? WP-S was interviewed a week or so ago for Business Traveller (here) and seems pretty clear that Mainline, Baby and Regional all have future roles to play as part of BMI and the LH group...

Intriguing that Regional "will serve" international routes. I would have hoped that LH hubs would mean decent multiple daily departures to FRA rather than the patchwork services to CPH and BRU....

In a previous interview WPS said that if FRA got an additional runway there would be oppertunities for Regional to operate from a number of regional airports to FRA. There is, however, only so many passengers who want to fly from ABZ, EDI, GLA, LBA etc to FRA. I guess the frequency would reflect demand.

Mainline & Regional share a brand (however weak). It makes no sense to me to have duplicated management structures. Merge the companies, have 2 fleets & 2 payscales but offer better career progression (FO Emb - FO A320 - Capt Emb - Capt A320) & reduced infrastructure costs. Simples.

Baby on the otherhand has a stronger individual brand & different core values. It makes sense to keep them seperate, possibly differentiate a little more between the 2 brands.

The new runway (~ 9,000 ft) opens at FRA next year. And I don't consider FRA as a particularly appealing destination either, but BMI Regional could become a real competitor for long haul destinations from the UK regions if they had a organised feeder system through FRA. Right now, if you have a choice at all, you're usually looking at BA through LHR or KL through AMS.

Tripoli
 

The new tripoli flight was planned to be operated on a319 but I've noticed on flybmi.com that it is now being sold on a320, Does anyone know if they have decided to put a midhaul aircraft on it to provide a better business class product (to out do ba club europe style on that route) or will it be a regular shorthaul aircraft with 3:3 config with the middle seat left empty in business?

According to rumours, there are plans that BMI will not only operate on behalf of Lufthansa between MAN/BHX from FRA with effect summer schedule 11 but also from MUC starting winter schedule 11/12. Anyone able to confirm?

(I thought we had discussed the FRA rumour earlier in this thread, but I cannot find the posts).

There is little sense in having crews and aircraft overnighting in the UK when you have your own airline which can operate the routes. On LHR-VIE for example OS operate the first flight to London, while BD operate the first flight out of LHR.
Another thought is that BD has little O&D market of it's own and LH could probably put the aircraft out of other hubs to better use.

Wonder if we could see bmi take on the full hog of FRA/MUC/DUS/STR/HAM from MAN?

Also, this will require 2 based units, as FRA is 4 daily and I think MUC is 3 daily?

If your going to base 2 units, wonder if this could pave the way for MAN to become a base per say, and have the aircraft maybe do a VIE/MAD or something in the downtime?

BMI Frankfurt
 

I just assumed that three flights would be by BMI A320 and the 09.00 inbound to BHX & MAN would still be LH mainline or in BHX;s case possibly Cityline Embraer. The A320 could do eight sector days starting at 0600 and finishing at 23.00 but it is very tight and of course the flights have to fit into the Lufthansa departure banks at Frankfurt and this might not work.

Brian

As for BHX & MAN Munich I have not heard that one. It would be bad news for spotters but good for the number of seats available from BHX, as it is currently 2 x 86 seat CRJ9 and 1 x 116 seat 195 (or 190). Three daily A319 or A320 might be a tad much for BHX but you never know.

Pete

Yes and no. From what I have heard, the idea is more to boost BD's performance by providing work for them without any commercial risk. This type of work is not new for BD as they have already based, e.g., an A320 away from home in CGN to serve the LHR route on behalf of Lufthansa.

Wasn't there also talk about BD taking over some more of LH's routes from LHR?

Will be interesting to know how the logistics of BMI at MAN operating for LH. They operate out of different terminals and BMI self handle in T3 where as LH are handled by Servisair in T1 ??

I believe the ramp for BMI is Servisair as well. Mind you even sister bmibaby has a different handling agent in Menzies at T3.

About BHX/MAN - FRA...

Is it already confirmed somewhere those flights will indeed be taken over by BD?

I've checked several booking sites, but for both routes, I only see LH aircraft loaded for S11?

Also, does anybody know if the wetlease contract with SN on the BRS/NCL - BRU route will be extended? From the booking websites, it seems both routes will be operated by SN again as from S11, although no official communication whatsoever is available on this matter either?

I have flights booked MAN-FRA for June 2011. Nowhere does it say flt operated by BD

Does it really matter if an official announcement has been made yet or if an itinerary states which airline is operating the flight. Yes, a lot of readers on here are aviation enthusiasts and regular travellers so it could be of interest but the vast majority of every-day passengers do not know what airline they are flying on , let alone the type of aircraft:ooh:

Frontcheck - it's actually an EU legal requirement that customers are made aware of the airline operating their flight, particularly where this differs from the marketing carrier actually selling the seats for it. So, if services are to be operated by bmi, Lufthansa are obliged to disclose this to passengers booked and yet to book.

Once it is or at least IF it is confirmed, yes passengers will be informed, most likely via email something along the lines ''your flight is now scheduled to operate with our sister airline bmi british midland...'' I feel people are getting ahead hof themselves here at the minute because nothing has been confirmed on when or if this is definately going ahead by Lufthansa just rumour.

customers can be " made aware of changes to what airline is operating their flight " right at the last minute. from experience in past years bmi have chartered in a titan aircraft and passengers are advised of this at check in and boarding. they are made aware of difference to service on board, seating etc.

Bmi Glasgow
 

bmi to stop flights to lhr from gla summer 2011 waiting for axe to fall again.:ugh:

Do you have a link or a source for this info..............???

There's a Hell of a lot of codeshares on those flights into STAR partners at Heathrow. Still if it means Air Canada have to serve Scotland with their own metal again.....

Wow no more BD001....we shall see.