ray
3rd Jul 2002, 10:27
Cardiff International Airport confirmed as new UK base for bmibaby
First low-cost airline base for Wales
100 new airline jobs likely to be created
Cardiff International Airport has been named as the new base for the UK's fastest growing low cost airline bmibaby. The airline announced two months ago that following the spectacular launch and success of bmibaby at East Midlands Airport in the Midlands, it was looking to set up another UK base.
The selection of Cardiff follows an intense period of review covering a wide range of options. The airline has now entered into a period of detailed negotiations with Cardiff International Airport, in order to formalise the agreement. bmibaby intends to initially base at least two Boeing 737 aircraft at the airport this winter, with details of the destinations to be served announced later this month when seats will go on sale from the new base. bmibaby would become the airport's biggest customer with an expected one million passengers a year being carried by the airline through the new base.
An initial 100 new jobs with the airline are expected to be created as a result of the new UK base with even further job opportunities likely to come about as bmibaby develops both its East Midlands and Cardiff bases. The airline has already brought about 100 new positions in the Midlands as a result of an increase this winter in operations from East Midlands Airport, including the start of new routes to Geneva, Munich, Copenhagen, Milan (Bergamo), Lyon and Alicante.
Tony Davis, managing director bmibaby said:
"We have already seen the great advantages for travellers in giving them their own local low cost airline. Cardiff International has a large potential catchment area in both Wales and England, and I am convinced that they will give bmibaby the same resounding thumbs up that we have seen at our East Midlands Airport base.
“We are determined to provide travellers from Cardiff with all of the advantages of low cost travel to an exciting range of destinations. The airport is well placed to cope with the rapid growth in passengers we intend to bring to the airport, and its modern facilities and operational performance are ideal for a new major bmibaby base.
“We only launched bmibaby from East Midlands Airport just over three months ago and our passenger numbers are well in excess of our original forecasts. I see no reason why our new base at Cardiff cannot achieve this same success. Low cost travel from Cardiff International is about to arrive."
Commenting on today’s announcement, Jon Horne, managing director of Cardiff International Airport said:
“I am delighted that bmibaby has selected Cardiff International Airport to be the next base for the airline. There was clearly strong competition from other UK airports to win the award of this base, as the commercial potential is significant.
“Cardiff’s absence of operating restrictions, its capacity to accommodate the potential one million plus passengers this generates and access to a growing and economically developing market, were all key factors in the case put to the airline. This is a significant step forwards for Cardiff International Airport, TBI plc and Wales.”
bmibaby can be reached via the website at www.bmibaby.com or via the sales centre on 0870 264 2229. All bmibaby standard fares start from £25 one way, including taxes.
First low-cost airline base for Wales
100 new airline jobs likely to be created
Cardiff International Airport has been named as the new base for the UK's fastest growing low cost airline bmibaby. The airline announced two months ago that following the spectacular launch and success of bmibaby at East Midlands Airport in the Midlands, it was looking to set up another UK base.
The selection of Cardiff follows an intense period of review covering a wide range of options. The airline has now entered into a period of detailed negotiations with Cardiff International Airport, in order to formalise the agreement. bmibaby intends to initially base at least two Boeing 737 aircraft at the airport this winter, with details of the destinations to be served announced later this month when seats will go on sale from the new base. bmibaby would become the airport's biggest customer with an expected one million passengers a year being carried by the airline through the new base.
An initial 100 new jobs with the airline are expected to be created as a result of the new UK base with even further job opportunities likely to come about as bmibaby develops both its East Midlands and Cardiff bases. The airline has already brought about 100 new positions in the Midlands as a result of an increase this winter in operations from East Midlands Airport, including the start of new routes to Geneva, Munich, Copenhagen, Milan (Bergamo), Lyon and Alicante.
Tony Davis, managing director bmibaby said:
"We have already seen the great advantages for travellers in giving them their own local low cost airline. Cardiff International has a large potential catchment area in both Wales and England, and I am convinced that they will give bmibaby the same resounding thumbs up that we have seen at our East Midlands Airport base.
“We are determined to provide travellers from Cardiff with all of the advantages of low cost travel to an exciting range of destinations. The airport is well placed to cope with the rapid growth in passengers we intend to bring to the airport, and its modern facilities and operational performance are ideal for a new major bmibaby base.
“We only launched bmibaby from East Midlands Airport just over three months ago and our passenger numbers are well in excess of our original forecasts. I see no reason why our new base at Cardiff cannot achieve this same success. Low cost travel from Cardiff International is about to arrive."
Commenting on today’s announcement, Jon Horne, managing director of Cardiff International Airport said:
“I am delighted that bmibaby has selected Cardiff International Airport to be the next base for the airline. There was clearly strong competition from other UK airports to win the award of this base, as the commercial potential is significant.
“Cardiff’s absence of operating restrictions, its capacity to accommodate the potential one million plus passengers this generates and access to a growing and economically developing market, were all key factors in the case put to the airline. This is a significant step forwards for Cardiff International Airport, TBI plc and Wales.”
bmibaby can be reached via the website at www.bmibaby.com or via the sales centre on 0870 264 2229. All bmibaby standard fares start from £25 one way, including taxes.