The 'FUTURE OF BMI' thread, the LH takeover, & what it might mean for Diamond Club...
Jan 20, 2008, 1:37 am
#76
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ , QF , MK
Posts: 1,372
does anyone know if LH's call option gives them the right to block SMB doing a deal with anyone else for his "50% + 1 share" ?
Also , since 9W is a non-EU carrier what would happen to BDs traffic rights ? Could they be in jeopardy if a majority stake was in non-EU hands
Also , since 9W is a non-EU carrier what would happen to BDs traffic rights ? Could they be in jeopardy if a majority stake was in non-EU hands
Jan 20, 2008, 5:48 am
#77
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
Highly unlikely for so many reasons. Surprised that LH has not purchased the SK stake though as last year they stated that they were happy to commence negotiations. The ownership issue over JK also still needs to be resolved.
Jan 20, 2008, 6:23 am
#78
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: British Airways Executive Club, United Mileage Plus & bmi Diamond Club
Posts: 1,427
It may not be a buy out, just a large stake. This will be good for 9W. India-UK has dozens of different population centres which need links. Instead of 9W flying a few weekly BLR-MAN, BOM-BHX, DEL-GLA they can be routed through LHR like the scissor hub op at BRU. Does this make sense? I could see 9W gaining a larger UK-India market share with a move like this. Perhaps LH will allow it in exchange for 9W joining *A
Jan 20, 2008, 7:45 am
#80
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arrecife
Programs: BA Silver, TK Silver, HH Diamond, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 2,441
They can exercise these options at the same price per share that Lufthansa paid for its original stake.
Then again, I could be completely wrong, but this is what I've read in the past.
Last edited by Boddingtons; Jan 20, 2008 at 7:51 am
Jan 21, 2008, 2:51 am
#82
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Aldgate, London, UK.
Programs: BD*G. BA gold. Air France platinum. FT baggage tags. PC Gold, Marriott Silver. Hilton Gold.
Posts: 220
Sorry if this has already been posted, but can't find reference to it:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/mai...0/cnjet120.xml
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/mai...0/cnjet120.xml
This story was repeated in this mornings City AM (London financial free paper)
Steve.
Jan 21, 2008, 3:14 am
#83
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
re 9w being interested in bmi, how will that work with star? AI are planning on joining star sometime this year or next year. i'm sure that would through a spanner into that if AI's biggest competitor in India ended up buying BMI.
Jan 21, 2008, 9:52 am
#84
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK.
Programs: SQ LPPS, A3 *G, BA Silver aiming for Bronze
Posts: 1,506
In a perfect world, the gurus at *A would see sense and invite 9W to join rather than AI. As it stands, 9W seem to be getting quite close to AF. *A seems to be taking the Skyteam mantle of quantity not quality at ever increasing speed. In a world where 9W bought BD, I'm sure Skyteam would be able to use the LHR slots!
Mar 6, 2008, 6:55 am
#86
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: A3*G, AB-G, Hilton Gold, Marroit Silver
Posts: 121
who do you want to take over bmi? BA/LH?
Willie Walsh is quoted in the press today saying BA are interested in acquiring bmi, which is not really a surprise... clicky here...
IF bmi was to be swallowed up by LH or BA, what are everyones thoughts on the preferred new owner? Which airline and loyalty program is better for us as diamond club members?
IF bmi was to be swallowed up by LH or BA, what are everyones thoughts on the preferred new owner? Which airline and loyalty program is better for us as diamond club members?
Mar 6, 2008, 7:05 am
#87
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: SQ-PPS+8, BA-Mucci Diamente, Mucci Siegneur des Bains Chauds
Posts: 2,286
Don't Luftwaffe have first refusal? Personally I would prefer BA to merge my Diamond miles with my BA miles to give a balance boost, rather than become a Miles & More member, and find I now need more miles to do what I could have done with BMI. And then have to chase Hon Circ status.
Mar 6, 2008, 7:14 am
#88
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Being more familiar with the BAEC I would say BA but I know very little about M&M so I would be rather biased. Although being based in EZE, having the LH option would be handy.
Bet this question pops up here again in four years time.
Bet this question pops up here again in four years time.
Mar 6, 2008, 7:26 am
#89
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
Programs: Mucci, BMI*G, M&M SEN, FB Gold, PC Plat, Father of GhettoIFE
Posts: 3,972
I think More Champagne Sir? would say "Lufthansa... keep your hands off my airline!"...
I would say "Keep BMI my BMI" (yes, I'm lifting from DL again...).
Both to me would be hard steps. FTL is hard enough to get on a low mileage flyer like me... (35k in 2 years on cheapo Y fares... not a cat in hells chance!) and getting BA Tier points on the fares I travel on? Forget that...
I'd be a mere blue again
(and probably crediting my miles to ANA or someone)
Where's a rich Middle Eastern/Far Eastern/Bill Gates conglomerate when you need one to fund a buyout?
(heck, I'm sure between us, we'd have enough DC miles to buy a nice share of the airline...)
I would say "Keep BMI my BMI" (yes, I'm lifting from DL again...).
Both to me would be hard steps. FTL is hard enough to get on a low mileage flyer like me... (35k in 2 years on cheapo Y fares... not a cat in hells chance!) and getting BA Tier points on the fares I travel on? Forget that...
I'd be a mere blue again
(and probably crediting my miles to ANA or someone) Where's a rich Middle Eastern/Far Eastern/Bill Gates conglomerate when you need one to fund a buyout?
(heck, I'm sure between us, we'd have enough DC miles to buy a nice share of the airline...)
Mar 6, 2008, 7:26 am
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
I'm no great fan of LH but at least they run a frequent flyer scheme rather than a status recognition programme.
I would hate bmi to leave *A and would not think a move to OW appropriate.
I would hate bmi to leave *A and would not think a move to OW appropriate.