Further BD domestic cuts: LHR-GLA gone from 27 Mar 2011, MAN reduced
Jan 15, 2011, 3:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,950
Further BD domestic cuts: LHR-GLA gone from 27 Mar 2011, MAN reduced
BMI is briefing that it is reviewing all UK & Ireland routes, with MAN to shrink again to 4x daily while GLA could get dumped altogether.
Not sure if BMI has the balls to go through with ditching GLA, given the history of the route and the likely political fallout, but there are strong hints that Baby will start a GLA-STN service soon.
Wolfgang will be in Scotland on Wednesday, so perhaps we'll know more then. He has already said UK & Ireland is losing money, of course. But he has also said it is an important market.
On the positive side, definitely more new routes to come soon. Pardon the plug...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...-Heathrow.html
Not sure if BMI has the balls to go through with ditching GLA, given the history of the route and the likely political fallout, but there are strong hints that Baby will start a GLA-STN service soon.
Wolfgang will be in Scotland on Wednesday, so perhaps we'll know more then. He has already said UK & Ireland is losing money, of course. But he has also said it is an important market.
On the positive side, definitely more new routes to come soon. Pardon the plug...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...-Heathrow.html
British Midland International (BMI) is reviewing the future of its domestic route network at Heathrow, blaming BAA price increases for “killing” UK air links.
The carrier, the airport’s second largest operator, will cut its Manchester flights from six daily to four and is considering closing its loss-making Glasgow route.
It follows a series of price rises at Heathrow that have dented the profitability of shorter flights.
Cuts are likely to be welcomed by green campaigners who say domestic flights are unnecessary in the era of high speed rail.
However, route closures would hand British Airways a monopoly and will dismay politicians and businesses in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
BMI, a fully- owned subsidiary of German carrier Lufthansa, will use slots created by domestic cutbacks for more lucrative international routes instead. Its spokesman said: “We never comment on rumours.” But a source said: “The domestic network has been under review. Higher charges are killing domestic air travel at Heathrow.”
The carrier, the airport’s second largest operator, will cut its Manchester flights from six daily to four and is considering closing its loss-making Glasgow route.
It follows a series of price rises at Heathrow that have dented the profitability of shorter flights.
Cuts are likely to be welcomed by green campaigners who say domestic flights are unnecessary in the era of high speed rail.
However, route closures would hand British Airways a monopoly and will dismay politicians and businesses in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
BMI, a fully- owned subsidiary of German carrier Lufthansa, will use slots created by domestic cutbacks for more lucrative international routes instead. Its spokesman said: “We never comment on rumours.” But a source said: “The domestic network has been under review. Higher charges are killing domestic air travel at Heathrow.”
Jan 15, 2011, 4:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Further rumours here:
http://www.pprune.org/airlines-airpo...2-bmi-102.html
I really do hope that the LHR-GLA-LHR BD routes remain. This would be a kick in the teeth for the West of Scotland economy and handing over a monopoly to BA
Sad, sad news indeed. And especially for all GLA based crew and ground staff
http://www.pprune.org/airlines-airpo...2-bmi-102.html
I really do hope that the LHR-GLA-LHR BD routes remain. This would be a kick in the teeth for the West of Scotland economy and handing over a monopoly to BA
Sad, sad news indeed. And especially for all GLA based crew and ground staff
Jan 15, 2011, 4:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 16
Its such a shame about the domestic situation. I travel a great deal with work, and being based 25 mins from manchester airport, I have already relied on them as my link down to LHR for my international flight.
Its now becoming apparent that the new reduced service isn't going work for me most of the time. Already I had to book BA connections twice for later in the year and when I can fly BMI I'm on the regional jets.... I've been a DC member for years, and with the M&M merger (whenever it finally arrives), im now parking my miles in other FFP.
Its now becoming apparent that the new reduced service isn't going work for me most of the time. Already I had to book BA connections twice for later in the year and when I can fly BMI I'm on the regional jets.... I've been a DC member for years, and with the M&M merger (whenever it finally arrives), im now parking my miles in other FFP.
Jan 15, 2011, 4:25 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,950
The obvious answer would be to cut one domestic route and spread the slots around the others to give a stronger schedule to the surviving destinations. But I suspect the problem is there aren't enough slots at the preferred times to do that.
Jan 15, 2011, 5:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: UK
Programs: A3 gld, BA bron, KL silv, 6C plat, EH silv, EM, GT, HY, NH, NS, RT, SH, SW gold, BW, WY
Posts: 989
Faint being the operative word. KLM still provide decent regional connections to Amsterdam from most of the airports Air UK used to serve. You can still travel somewhere useful with a one-stop KLM ticket from most regional airports.
Jan 15, 2011, 5:04 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DUB - Ireland
Programs: EI-GCE, BD-G, BA-G, A3*G, TK*G, FB-G, HH-G, Hyatt-Dia
Posts: 8,527
Is Dublin part of this review? I imagine it must be... very little business originating here since they removed the morning flights from the schedule... and it's probably significant that Baby has moved from BFS to BHD also...
What happens redemptions if they pull the connection to LHR?
What happens redemptions if they pull the connection to LHR?
Jan 15, 2011, 5:10 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BHD/DUB
Programs: BA Gold, TK*G, EI Elite
Posts: 7,622
They can PR BS all they like, blame BAA all they like, but while the restructuring of airport charges doesn't help the future, bmi are the architect of the loss making situation they find themselves in today.
We've discussed this online, and offline, many times but the simple fact is years of mismanagement, disarray, constantly changing product, uncompetitive pricing, the schedule roulette and their head in the sand attitude to constructive criticism has seen even their most lost loyal customer base throw in the towel, give up and take much of their business and, more importantly, their companies business elsewhere.
Where 'Joe Public' is concerned, he's been conditioned by sections of the media to think of bmi as an LCC as said media referred to them in the same sentence as EZ and FR. bmi certainly did nothing to change that perception. In fact, in some ways, those very LCC's now offer a better onboard product.
Even under LH, the rhetoric continues here in NI. They continue to deny EI are a competitor or taking business off them on the Belfast route. We know what that means in bmi speak don't we?
We've discussed this online, and offline, many times but the simple fact is years of mismanagement, disarray, constantly changing product, uncompetitive pricing, the schedule roulette and their head in the sand attitude to constructive criticism has seen even their most lost loyal customer base throw in the towel, give up and take much of their business and, more importantly, their companies business elsewhere.
Where 'Joe Public' is concerned, he's been conditioned by sections of the media to think of bmi as an LCC as said media referred to them in the same sentence as EZ and FR. bmi certainly did nothing to change that perception. In fact, in some ways, those very LCC's now offer a better onboard product.
Even under LH, the rhetoric continues here in NI. They continue to deny EI are a competitor or taking business off them on the Belfast route. We know what that means in bmi speak don't we?
Jan 15, 2011, 5:13 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA Gold, Ex-Hertz 5* PC, Ex-HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,062
Already trialled last year; flybmi's Robin and Natasha enjoy the bmifriday rickshaw service on Edgware Road
Lets hope the rumours aren't true but especially on the LHR-MAN I can understand the reductions, the only traffic worth keeping now must be the international connections (BA style), since most business travel must be switching to the train.
At least the east coast of Scotland seems to be busy enough on EDI-LHR from my current experiences, though some of the points on PPrune about LCY-EDI booming appear to be true, this flight is busy, full and often sold out at key commuting times - oh, and BA provide a free breakfast, don't have a "flexible economy cabin" and give 100% miles to all tickets. Even I'm starting to just give up and consider moving my (~45 returns/yearly) to BA - I'll look to keeping my BD*G through a mileage run at the end of the year in the hope that something happens in the next 2 years to give certainty and a clear direction, at the moment though BA have a clear steer - that they are starting to appreciate and attract frequent domestic travellers like myself, BMI clearly don't.
However, lets see how it develops - perhaps the only reason to keep BD*G in the future is for exciting holidays to foreign oil countries for fewer miles...
Lets hope the rumours aren't true but especially on the LHR-MAN I can understand the reductions, the only traffic worth keeping now must be the international connections (BA style), since most business travel must be switching to the train.
At least the east coast of Scotland seems to be busy enough on EDI-LHR from my current experiences, though some of the points on PPrune about LCY-EDI booming appear to be true, this flight is busy, full and often sold out at key commuting times - oh, and BA provide a free breakfast, don't have a "flexible economy cabin" and give 100% miles to all tickets. Even I'm starting to just give up and consider moving my (~45 returns/yearly) to BA - I'll look to keeping my BD*G through a mileage run at the end of the year in the hope that something happens in the next 2 years to give certainty and a clear direction, at the moment though BA have a clear steer - that they are starting to appreciate and attract frequent domestic travellers like myself, BMI clearly don't.
However, lets see how it develops - perhaps the only reason to keep BD*G in the future is for exciting holidays to foreign oil countries for fewer miles...
Last edited by littlevoices; Jan 15, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Jan 15, 2011, 5:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DUB - Ireland
Programs: EI-GCE, BD-G, BA-G, A3*G, TK*G, FB-G, HH-G, Hyatt-Dia
Posts: 8,527
Already trialled last year;
flybmi's Robin and Natasha enjoy the bmifriday rickshaw service on Edgware Road
flybmi's Robin and Natasha enjoy the bmifriday rickshaw service on Edgware Road
Jan 15, 2011, 5:25 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA Gold, Ex-Hertz 5* PC, Ex-HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,062
Originally Posted by www.flybmi.com/bmi/en-gb/loyalty-programmes/diamond-club/ways-to-spend-miles/bmi-and-star-alliance-flights.aspx
Connecting flights for journeys where the final destination is within the Republic of Ireland and requires specialist transportation
7500 miles or (4000 miles + £30)*
*Raincoat and paddle not provided as our marketing team is hunting for it up t' creek..
7500 miles or (4000 miles + £30)*
*Raincoat and paddle not provided as our marketing team is hunting for it up t' creek..
Last edited by littlevoices; Jan 15, 2011 at 5:37 pm Reason: trying to improve poor joke
Jan 15, 2011, 5:31 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, BD Blue (RIP)
Posts: 1,986
One would have to hope that this isn't true. Despite the article crowing about the improved service on the railways it still doesn't cut it in a central Scotland-London way especially if you need to do work at one end of the journey. I've been able to take a 7:30 flight from Edinburgh and make it into my 10:30 uni class and work a 2-10 shift afterwards. Still not really possible on the trains.
The other problem is that obviously this would hand BA the market on a plate. Since the slots wouldn't transfer to BA and bmi will doubtless use them to launch more flight to (apparently) profitable bits of eastern Europe it's unlikely that BA will step in to fill the 720 seats a day that would vanish from the GLA-LHR market.
The other problem is that obviously this would hand BA the market on a plate. Since the slots wouldn't transfer to BA and bmi will doubtless use them to launch more flight to (apparently) profitable bits of eastern Europe it's unlikely that BA will step in to fill the 720 seats a day that would vanish from the GLA-LHR market.
Jan 15, 2011, 5:50 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
Jan 15, 2011, 5:52 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
The other problem is that obviously this would hand BA the market on a plate. Since the slots wouldn't transfer to BA and bmi will doubtless use them to launch more flight to (apparently) profitable bits of eastern Europe it's unlikely that BA will step in to fill the 720 seats a day that would vanish from the GLA-LHR market.
Jan 15, 2011, 5:56 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
I meant the gradual axing of the domestic network. If LHR-GLA goes, I do not have much hope for the medium-term future of the rest of the domestic network.