BMI dumps two more routes....

[Flightrider]

Interesting to see that bmi are still selling seats on their daily services from Heathrow to Madrid and Milan Linate for this summer....but that the Heathrow runway slots for these services have disappeared.

It does, at least, explain why they are only selling high fares on those two routes. If they cancel at a later date, the only customers booked will be on relatively high-yield tickets which are transferable to other airlines.

After juggling their slots around between different routes, they are using one of the sets of slots to enter into the new "wet-lease" with Qatar Airways on Heathrow-Doha. This is a new form of arrangement where, if you're not familiar with it, bmi effectively gives unused bilateral rights for UK airlines to their overseas competitors; and provides the Heathrow slots to go with it.

The TeesSide nightstop now isn't going to leave MME until 08:00 local each morning and a strange charter arrangement with an A320 to be based at East Midlands means that one Embraer 145 is to be based at Heathrow for operation of some short-haul services every day.

When is someone going to grab hold of this sorry mess and sort it out?

[Little Blue]

I would say that slot juggling to accomodate the new long haul destination is a pretty accepted practice around the world, at regulated airports, and not just at bmi/LHR. Look, it'll give the crew a longer lie-in at the George, in MME.:)

The Embraer has been operating in/out LHR for over a year, now and bmi have a larger charter operation, this summer, so its not just slots that are being juggled. Its not easy trying to keep everyone happy, is it?
Speaking of which, where's that pay rise ! :uhoh:

[EastMids]

Yes Littleblue, but juggling slots doesn't usually involve wet-leasing an A330 from an overseas airline that can't increase frequency due to bilatterals, operating flights on said wet-leased a/c to exactly the destination from which the overseas airline can't increase frequency due to those bilatterals, and then allowing the airline that leased out the airplane to codeshare on the resultant services.

As for the Junglejet at LHR, yes its been in there on an off-peak basis (usually Saturday/Sunday) for some time now - but if the OP is correct actually basing a Junglejet at LHR seems to represent a new exercise in permanent downsizing.

Finally, there's nothing really "strange" about an A320 on charter at EMA - for many years, A321s operated charters out of several bases (EMA, BFS etc) and I therefore presume CB has just found some lucrative work for a 320 sized a/c this year.

Andy

[Little Blue]

Yep, remember the charter days at EMA, well, in fact we used to base two 737-400 there, if my memory serves me well.
Good to see a charter operation back at the home base, hell, we'll be digging up the ATP'S next!
LB

[WHBM]

Look, it'll give the crew a longer lie-in at the George, in MMEThey'll be able to have as long a lie-in as they want before long, because all the business passengers will be off to Darlington to catch the GNER train to London.

The first northbound flight was put back to arriving at 11.10 last summer which killed the northbound day return business as well. It's been restored to a 10.00 arrival now but the damage has been done, in fact it was only on looking the details up a moment ago that I realised it had been changed back, you will understand I haven't used it for a while to visit my customer outside Darlington.

[Cuillin]

Ah, those were the days.

First Midland scheduled jet service
Teesside to Heathrow
DC9-10 series
Lovely local hosties
Up to five return flights a day
Superb service

Flew domestically recently on BMi for the first time in years - couldn't believe it was (effectively) the same airline.
:(

[ducksoup]

Those really were the days, Cuillin.

First scheduled BMA jet service from MME was by 1-11s in 1970, followed by Viscounts(again) then the DC9-10.
But you're right about the hosties...

Sadly, all seems to be down the pan now.

[twisted-diamonddolly]

Whats the BMI A319 doing at LGW? it was parked overnight.

[sevenforeseven]

Airline run by Barrow boys, what a shambles.

[mmeman]

When is the 08.00 departure from MME going to start? On the flybmi website it is still down as a 07.15 departure for next summer. :confused:

[Flightrider]

It will probably start late March unless any slot improvements are forthcoming at LHR for them to move to an earlier arrival slot.

There are also strong rumours that the 332/333, 414/415 midday Leeds service and 337/338 will be operated by a Heathrow-based Embraer 145 this summer.

[nivsy]

Since in the mood for remembering the past......I recall the DC9' 10 series then the 32 series on LHR - GLA sectors. Hot breakfast - hot lunch - afternoon Tea and scones and cream - good hot dinner...and always good looking hosties!. Used the BMI service last week or so - ASB321 - get your wallet out on every occassion. Price of the ticket? lets just say pretty hefty. Shame really........


Nivsy

[EasyBaby]

they run the odd charter out of LGW dont they?