Scottie
1st May 2002, 16:57
From their website.
easyJet was today confirmed as the second-biggest UK scheduled airline, following BMI British Midland's announcement of its passenger figures for 2001.
In the 12 months ending 31 December 2001, BMI British Midland carried 6.7 million passengers, down 5% on the year before. In contrast easyJet carried 7.7 million passengers in 2001 - up 28% on the year before.
Today's figures from BMI British Midland are further evidence in the shift of popularity in British and European aviation towards the low-cost airlines. While BMI British Midland produced an operating loss of £12 million for 2001, the low-cost airlines keep on reporting improved passenger and financial numbers.
The launch of bmibaby may prove popular, but the pressure will be on BMI British Midland to show next year that it has not sacrificed the parent airline for the sake of the child. The fad for traditional airlines launching low-cost offshoots is beginning to look like a continuation of the dot-com boom of two years ago - a flavour-of-the-month with emphasis placed on brand building and cash burn.
We'll take BMI British Midland's entry into the low-cost airline market seriously when they move out of Donington Hall and into a tin shed at East Midlands airport. Or perhaps they need such a big HQ for their 6,000 staff - by contrast, easyJet has only 2,000 staff.
easyJet was today confirmed as the second-biggest UK scheduled airline, following BMI British Midland's announcement of its passenger figures for 2001.
In the 12 months ending 31 December 2001, BMI British Midland carried 6.7 million passengers, down 5% on the year before. In contrast easyJet carried 7.7 million passengers in 2001 - up 28% on the year before.
Today's figures from BMI British Midland are further evidence in the shift of popularity in British and European aviation towards the low-cost airlines. While BMI British Midland produced an operating loss of £12 million for 2001, the low-cost airlines keep on reporting improved passenger and financial numbers.
The launch of bmibaby may prove popular, but the pressure will be on BMI British Midland to show next year that it has not sacrificed the parent airline for the sake of the child. The fad for traditional airlines launching low-cost offshoots is beginning to look like a continuation of the dot-com boom of two years ago - a flavour-of-the-month with emphasis placed on brand building and cash burn.
We'll take BMI British Midland's entry into the low-cost airline market seriously when they move out of Donington Hall and into a tin shed at East Midlands airport. Or perhaps they need such a big HQ for their 6,000 staff - by contrast, easyJet has only 2,000 staff.