Well it seems it’s all change at BMI (again) as Lufthansa has formally put BMI on the sale block according to Aviation Week.
It seems that the failing domestic network and the madness of engaging in a Middle Eastern scatter-gun deployment to whatever turns into a hot potato has finally clicked at Lufthansa HQ that the plan isn’t working.
BMI could be sold as a single entity, or it could be sold as a partnership. Meanwhile, Lufthansa will continue to attempt to stem the losses after loosing €120 million in the first half of 2011.
There have been reports of expressions of interests with no one mentioning who they are, but there are some easy guesses – all already on the tarmac at London Heathrow.
Firstly, there’s International Airlines Group – or British Airways who would gobble up the slots for breakfast. Of course, that would set the regulators off like bonfire night. Next door, there’s Virgin Group who would love the slots for expansion purposes whilst developing a European airline.
Who else will show their cards of course we will find out in time. Whilst BMI itself may not be worth a lot, the chance to grab a substantial lump of slots at London Heathrow could bring out the vultures to pick over the remains of the airline… as well as the remains of my Gold card.
