Origin of bmir
 

I always thought that bmir was formed when Midland were developing their international network out of Heathrow and wanted a smaller operation to run their regional (i.e. non-LHR) activites, such as their long-standing routes out of East Midlands, Leeds and Jersey. I've now read that it was actually formed from a separate airline, Business Air, of whom I've never heard. I'm confused, could anyone please explain what happened?

And could I wish the best of luck to all those good people in the current situation.

Ian Woodley and Graham Ross set up the company in 1987 as Business Air and started operations in August 1987 from Aberdeen Airport. The airline ran independently with EMB-110s and Saab2000s until 2001. BMI allegedly bought them in 2001 for £1.

Almost - Saab 340s, not 2000s.

RTF callsign was 'Granite'.

Business Air ran SF340s on a host of domestics into ABZ, EDI, GLA, MAN as well as a load of night time flying for Royal Mail. In later years they carried Lufthansa titles on the rear fuselage in recognition of co-operation in feeding LH over Manchester from Scotland.

They were operating as British Midland by ~ 1996 and the SF340s were painted into the 1990s blue colours, then the later dark scheme before being replaced by the EMB-145s which were branded as "British Midland". The "Regional" titles came with the rebranding to BMI in ~ 2001.

What was the situation prior to 2001? Was it a franchise?