BMI and Virgin
 

Which is the larger company BMI and Virgin

Is there a place where I can read about the history of BMI and
its growth through the year?

Also, almost every article I read about BMI states the no of landing slots at Heathrow. Did they get these prior to the whole Virgin / BA Fiasco or was this later than that?

bmi has more aeroplanes and routes, but Virgin has a greater turnover. bmi is an old airline with a distinguished history. It started life as Midland (and probably came from older antecedents), was known for many years as British Midland, and only recently restyled itaself as bmi.
bmi's slots at Heathrow are theirs by historical right, and are much older than Virgin's. However, at the time that the Bermuda 2 agreement enshrined the BA/Virgin/AA/United/Continental LHR-USA slot restrictions, bmi did not operate any long-haul routes, and so weren't part of the deal.
Try bmi's website for more info

bmi started as Derby Airways based at Derby Burnaston airfield.

I well remember their DC-3's and the old Argonauts.

Memories - what would we do without them?

Cheers

Scottie Dog